Once again, the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute had the opportunity to participate in the annual convention of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), held in Amsterdam on October 18-21, 2021.

This year's conference brought together scientists and industry representatives to present the latest developments and experiences in the petroleum industry and debate the challenges facing the industry in the era of energy transition in Europe.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference and accompanying trade show were hybrid in nature. However, the attendance was very good. There were more than 150 exhibitors and more than 1,400 presentations delivered to more than 4,500 registered delegates.

Among the exhibitors there a stand was also prepared by the employees of our Institute – by Olga Rosowiecka, Ph.D. and Joanna Roszkowska-Remin, M.Sc. Unfortunately, due to epidemic restrictions, we could only connect with the European petroleum community virtually. However, this did not prevent us from presenting at our stand the perspectives and opportunities for oil and gas exploration and prospecting in Poland.

Particularly noteworthy were the areas earmarked for the fifth round of hydrocarbon concession tenders in Poland - Kartuzy, Siedlce W, Gorzów Wielkopolski S and Gryfice, which are dedicated to the exploration of both conventional oil and gas deposits in the Cambrian, Red Carboniferous and Main Dolomite, as well as unconventional deposits in lower Palaeozoic shales. For four days our experts were on duty in a virtual room ready to provide any additional explanations.

A virtual tour of EAGE 2021 in Amsterdam

The fifth round of tenders for hydrocarbon concessions in Poland, organized by the concession authority - the Ministry of Climate and Environment, is scheduled to start at the turn of 2021 and 2022. This is one of the two paths for granting petroleum concessions in Poland, next to the so-called open door tender.

Areas dedicated to the fifth round of hydrocarbon concession tenders in Poland (marked in green)

The virtual walk, which PGI-NRI specialists took while visiting other countries’ and oil industry entrepreneurs’ stands, could not replace either "backstage talks" or discussions and exchange of views with representatives of the industry and science. And in the era of the pandemic, we are missing this more and more...

Text and photos: Olga Rosowiecka i Joanna Roszkowska-Remin
Translated by: Tomasz Trzpil

Participation in the conference and exhibition was planned within the framework of the task of Polish Geological Survey called "Assessment of geological prospectiveness of Poland in terms of possibilities to discover new hydrocarbon deposits and preparation of materials for proceedings aimed at granting hydrocarbon concessions - stage IV". "Assessment of geological prospectiveness of Poland in terms of possibilities of discovering new hydrocarbon deposits and preparation of materials for proceedings carried out in order to grant hydrocarbon concessions - stage IV", within the framework of agreement with NFOŚiGW no. 307/2021/Wn-07/FG-sm-dn/D of 21.04.2021.