Ukraine awards first shale gas contract to Shell: Firm

KIEV: Ukraine on Thursday awarded its first shale gas exploration contract to the Anglo-Dutch giant Shell in a deal worth up to $800 million (555 million euros), Ukraine's state gas exploration company said.

"In case of successful exploration work and the start of intense project development, Shell's total investment under the agreement may come to $800 million," Ukrgazvydobuvannya said in a statement issued after the signing.