Talisman Energy Inc. will soon turn its sights toward European shale as it recently announced plans to start drilling in Poland in 2011, according to the Warsaw Business Journal and Bloomberg.

The company recently acquired three licenses that will enable it to search for shale in three large land parcels in the Baltic Basin in the northern part of the country. Currently, all three of these areas are classified as a joint venture with San Leon Energy Plc.

“Talisman identified Poland as a country with attractive geological conditions and access to European gas markets,” said Tony Atherton, Talisman’s country manager for Poland.

According to estimates by Advanced Resources International, Polish shale and tight gas reserves could amount to around three trillion cubic meters. If these estimates are correct and drilling projects are able to access the reserves, it would significantly reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas.

“Gas potential, fitness, depth and organic richness are all comparable to the shales in Marcellus and Montney,” said Atherton.

However the European Commission expresses that drilling for shale gas in Europe may be more difficult than drilling in the U.S. The organization urges interested parties to be cautious when considering a project in Poland until more data is recovered.

“We’re still in the assessment phase [and] the prospects for unconventional gas are unclear. We have to further analyze the details and assess the environmental impact [drilling would have on the country],” said Michael Schuetz, a policy officer in the commission’s energy department.

Talisman is not the only company who has expressed interest in Polish shale gas. Other interested parties include ExxonMobil, PKN Orlen SA and Chevron – of the three, only PKN Orlen currently has active licenses.