A study initiated by the Polish Ministry of the Environment concluded that no negative impact on soil, air or water occurs when exploration of shale gas is conducted in accordance with Polish legislation. The investigation accompanied hydraulic fracturing operations of the first shale gas exploration well in Poland.

Hydraulic fracturing of the well near Łebień, Pomerania, was performed in August 2011. Baseline data were collected prior to fracturing operations and the survey continued until October 13, 2011. According to the press release, all the “operations carried out at the well site area were conducted in the way minimizing risk of negative impact on ground water. This includes recycling of the flowback fluids, storage of waste in leak-proof containers and protection of land surface with concrete plates and liners made of plastic firm.”

Find the press release, the report summary (both also in English) and the full report (in Polish) here.