You're reading: Shell halts shale gas exploration in eastern Ukraine over security concerns

Shell has halted shale gas exploration in eastern Ukraine over concerns for the safety of personnel, the regional administration in Donetsk region said in a statement on June 4.

“The head of the financial division of Royal Dutch Shell reported that shale gas exploration of fields in eastern Ukraine has halted due to the difficult political situation and the risks it poses to the safety of company employees,” the statement says.

Shell is working on two unconventional gas projects in eastern Ukraine: a joint venture with Ukrgasproduction (Kharkiv region) and a production-sharing agreement on the Yuzivska territory (Kharkiv and Donetsk regions).

Now the company has drilled two exploration wells in Kharkiv region.