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One of the ways to diversify Lithuania’s energy resources is by introducing in energy mix shale gas and oil as elements, which are seen as attractive alternative to natural gas from one dominant supplier in nowadays context, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said at the international conference “Shale Gas and Oil as Potential Game Changers in the Energy Market in the Baltic States and Poland” on 29 February in Vilnius. “Having achieved its independence more than twenty years ago, Lithuania is, nevertheless, highly dependent in economic terms. Today one dominant energy supplier is supposed to ensure resources for around 80 per cent of Lithuania’s energy needs. The European Union has fully acknowledged sensitivity of such high level of energy dependence by indicating Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as energy islands that are to be eliminated until 2015”, the Minister said.

He also highlighted the impact of shale gas on Lithuania’s energy security as an attractive alternative to natural gas and an effective way to bring down the price of gas.

“Latest developments of shale gas production technology and comparatively low shale gas price in the United States market produce incentives for other countries to explore substantively the U.S. experience and to learn how to implement best practices”,  Ažubalis said at the conference, during which experts from the U.S., Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia shared their knowledge on the process of shale gas exploitation.

Ažubalis was happy to see many environmental specialists at the discussion. “I am convinced that their expertise and knowledge of environmental aspects of shale gas industry will bring transparency and clarity on this issue. It is very important to have first-hand information from experts directly involved in ensuring highest standard of environmental and health safety and security in the process of exploitation of shale gas resources and we will proceed responsibly with implementation of modern and promising unconventional energy technologies,” the Minister said.

When speaking at the conference, Lithuanian Minister of Energy Arvydas Sekmokas stressed the importance of shale gas for forecasting the development of the gas market in the Baltic States.

Chancellor of the Prime Minister Deividas Matulionis said that the Geological Survey of Lithuania was going to announce a tender for search and exploration of shale gas in Lithuania. It is expected that companies with experience in this field would take part in it.

Anne Derse, the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, emphasized that the U.S. strongly supported efforts to promote international energy security – to create sustainable, affordable, market-based and reliable access to diverse routes and sources of energy supply – and to encourage energy efficiency and sustainability. The U.S. believes such efforts advance international environmental goals and at the same time contribute to a strong global economy, which is why the U.S. government is proud to support this energy conference.

The conference co-organized by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius explored how the development of shale gas production technology changed the game  in the U.S. energy market,  possibilities in utilization of shale gas  and an impact  on Lithuania’s economy,  and on the economies of other countries in the region.

Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of State, American Natural Gas Association and other non-governmental organizations are sharing the experience of the U.S., the world leader in shale gas production technology that has a big influence in the liquefied natural gas market and has curtailed costs of natural gas worldwide.