Orlen Plans Major Boost in Oil and Gas Production from Own Reserves

As Poland navigates the complexities of energy security in a volatile global landscape, PKN Orlen is strategically pivoting to bolster its domestic and self-sourced hydrocarbon production. The company's ambitious plan to significantly increase output from its own oil and gas fields is not merely a business decision but a crucial step towards reducing reliance on external suppliers and strengthening Poland's energy independence.

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We must seriously consider trading our own oil on a larger scale to be safe. We should diversify supplies also in the area of oil, not just gas. This is a process, and we must think about it reasonably, taking into account the transformation.

Orlen's vision extends to producing around 200,000 barrels of oil per day and boosting natural gas extraction to 12 billion cubic meters by 2030. This proactive approach acknowledges the projected increase in Poland's gas consumption post-2030. While the company operates in diverse locations including Norway, Pakistan, and Canada, the emphasis on increasing local production, particularly from mature Polish fields, is paramount. This strategy aims to maintain output, potentially reaching 4 billion cubic meters from domestic sources by 2030, despite the challenges of extracting from smaller, more difficult-to-access reserves.

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I think it would be good to produce about 200,000 barrels of oil per day in the future.

Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced geological modeling, Orlen is enhancing extraction efficiency and improving recovery rates, even in challenging environments. This technological adoption is critical for maximizing output from existing and new fields. The company highlights its success in achieving a 36% recovery rate on a Baltic Sea field, significantly above the global average. This focus on innovation underscores Orlen's commitment to sustainable and efficient resource development.

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We are reaching for smaller and more difficult resources. Our ambition is to maintain production, possibly increase it to 4 billion cubic meters by 2030.

Beyond energy security, Orlen's commitment to local production carries significant socio-economic benefits for Poland. Wiesław Prugar, Orlen's Management Board Member for Upstream, emphasizes that local extraction minimizes geopolitical risks and directly contributes to local government budgets and job creation. This dual focus on national energy security and regional development positions Orlen's strategy as vital for Poland's economic and strategic future, a perspective often overlooked in international discussions that primarily focus on global supply chains.

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Local production is extremely important because, firstly, there is no geopolitical risk here, and secondly, it ensures revenue for local government budgets and maintains jobs, which is extremely important from the perspective of local communities.