Ukraine wants to frack its way to victory

EXCLUSIVE: Kyiv is hunting for foreign cash and technology to unleash an American-style shale gas revolution

An AI-generated image of a shining Ukrainian shale gas fracking rig flying the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, rising like a phoenix from the flames of aerial bombardment by Russia
Ukraine hopes shale gas can turn around its war-torn energy fortunes. Image by Sora

EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine is working to unleash hydraulic fracturing with the goal of becoming a major shale gas exporter. The initiative, if successful, could transform European energy markets long before a peace deal is negotiated with Moscow.

Ministers in Kyiv are scrambling to access private investment and new drilling technology to exploit the country’s vast untapped shale gas resources, a senior government source told Energy Flux.

The plans are critical to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hopes of a post-war economic recovery, and could flip the script on Europe’s eternally febrile energy markets.

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Luring investment into Ukraine in the midst of an intensifying conflict is beyond ambitious. It’s practically a moonshot.

But Kyiv is convinced it can be done, and is tapping Western allies to make it a reality.

If so, this could have a material bearing on global energy markets, and even alter the trajectory of peace talks.

💡 This post is more than just an exclusive news story: it’s an analytical resource explaining in detail the significance of this scoop.

⚖️ The article also runs the rule over the headwinds and tailwinds facing large-scale investments in the Ukrainian shale patch.

Let’s get stuck in...

💥 Article stats: 2,200 words, 17-min reading time, 5 charts & graphs