OREANDA-NEWS. February 06, 2013. The reforms, which are now held in Ukraine, can transform the state into a powerful energy center in Eastern Europe.

This was started by U.S. State Department’s Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual during a meeting with Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.

"What are you doing, what is happening in Ukraine is complementary to the priorities of Europe, and could turn Ukraine into an important energy center in Eastern Europe", said the representative of the U.S. State Department.

He added that through the implementation of agreements on the extraction of shale gas with Shell and Chevron in 7-8 years Ukraine will receive an additional 25 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Carlos Pascual said that U.S. in recent years has significantly increased production of shale gas, and it allowed imports of hydrocarbons to refuse.

"In 2005, shale gas production in the U.S. was only 1% of the total production. Currently it is 35%. And over the past five years, domestic gas production in the U.S. increased by 25%", he said.

The representative of the U.S. State Department also informed that the U.S. has environmentally safe technology for shale gas production, and they are willing to share this experience with Ukraine.

By-turn Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said that Ukraine has reduced imports of Russian gas in recent years and begin to increase domestic production.

"Over the last few years, we have reduced sharply the purchase of Russian gas. We have an extremely great job of transferring our energy capacity on our fuel sources. At the same time, we pay great attention to the creation of alternative energy sources and construct solar and wind power plants. We have allocated large sums and greatly intensified oil and gas production on the territory", Mykola Azarov said.

He recalled that a contract with Shell for exploration and production of shale gas at Yuzovska field has been recently signed. Also talks with Chevron to start work at Oleske field are continuing. We start gas production offshore and wells are being modernized at the continental territory of Ukraine.