Politics

Ukraine to Partner With Chevron in Shale Gas Exploration

By Clare Foran and National Journal
SAN RAFAEL, CA - AUGUST 13: Chevron customers pump gas into their cars at a Chevron gas station August 13, 2010 in San Rafael, California. U.S. retail sales rose 0.4 percent in July fueled by sales of cars and gasoline.  (National Journal)

Ukrainian government officials reached a deal with Chevron Tuesday to allow the company to extract shale gas reserves from the country's Olesska field, Reuters reports.

The move comes at a time when mounting tensions between Ukraine and Russia, the major supplier of natural gas to Eastern Europe, have pushed Ukraine to pursue greater energy independence.

It follows a similar deal reached with Royal Dutch Shell in January to begin shale exploration in the country.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich hailed the partnerships as a boon. "The agreements with Shell and Chevron ... will enable us to have full sufficiency in gas by 2020 and, under an optimistic scenario, even enable us to export energy," he commented.