"If potential shale resources in countries like Germany, Hungary and Ukraine, as well as other Eastern European countries, prove to be commercially viable, Russia could have a real problem on its hands. On October 1, 2009, Christian Wulff, prime minister of Lower Saxony, Germany, visited the Baker Institute and discussed his interest in developing shale gas in Lower Saxony. ExxonMobil Exploration Company executive Tim Cejka told the audience at the event that ExxonMobil hoped to identify shale gas resources in Germany and other large end-use markets. Moreover, he believed that the shale gas potential outside the United States was substantial."

I had a listen to the webcast today. Mr. Cejka also said that due to the expected increase in natural gas usage over the coming decade, ALL of these potential plays will need to be developed in order to meet the demand.

He went on to compare conventional, tight, and shale gas. He said in the time it takes for a gas molecule to travel a distance from Hanover to Amsterdam through a conventional reservoir, it would only move from where he was standing to across the street in a tight gas reservoir. In a shale reservior, it would move across the table he was standing in front of.

Exxon is excited about how they can frac and flow gas from shale. The Szolnok is a tight gas reservoir. After listening to Mr. Cejka, I have a hard time believing that Exxonmobil can't make the Mako gas flow.

He also talked about the high costs involved in the aquision and transportation of all the water that is required for the fracing process. That doesnt seem to be a problem in the Mako Trough :)

Tim Cejka is Exxons president of Exploration.

http://www.bakerinstitute.org/events/technology-to-help-meet-germanys-cleaner-energy-future