CRDF Global, the State Agency on Science, Innovation and Informatization of Ukraine and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine hosted a two-day Regional Workshop on Shale Gas Exploration and Extraction. Attendees included U.S. Ambassador John Tefft and Ukrainian Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Eduard Stavitsky.

The workshop’s purpose was to help identify key issues to address as Ukraine and its neighbors look to encourage production of unconventional gas. It featured leading shale gas researchers, industry representatives, government officials from Ukraine, Poland, and the United States, as well as local and international media focused on energy issues. Key topics for discussion included creating a friendly investment and regulatory climate for foreign companies and training researchers, engineers and other technical personnel to support this new industry.

The event was covered by 12 prominent Ukrainian media outlets which released 16 articles.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Eduard Stavitsky took the opportunity to provide an update on where his ministry was in terms of announcing widely anticipated contests for the exploitation of promising two Black Sea sites, Scythian and Foros.

“Next week we should announce these contests in the press, to companies that want to participate in the competition, could explore the entire package documentation in 60 days time to submit the necessary application.” Minister Eduard Stavitsky said in RBC.

U.S. Ambassador John Tefft predicted if executed properly, shale gas would allow Ukraine to achieve energy independence within a decade.

"If the exploration and extraction will be performed competently and efficiently is fundamentally enhance the energy independence of the country" - said Ambassador Tefft in Mynews-in.net.

CRDF Global Ukraine Office conducted a Facebook broadcast during both days of the Workshop which is available on CRDF Global’s Facebook page along with event photos.