Summary Box: Shale gas raises hope, fear in Poland
GAS PLAYS: About two dozen international companies across Poland are exploring thousands of meters (yards) underground for hidden deposits of natural gas hailed as a vast new source of fuel.
SUCCESS AND CONTROVERSY: Inspired by the huge success of shale gas in the U.S., Poland is a pioneer in Europe, pressing ahead as other EU countries — like France, Germany and Bulgaria — impose moratoriums over worries the drilling technique will poison water and pollute air.
HIGH HOPES: Poland wants to break its 70 percent dependence on unreliable imports from Russian supplier Gazprom, create new jobs and cut energy prices.
