Shale gas exploration is a great chance for Poland, both for its energy sector and its overall standing, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told reporters Wednesday.

"This is a great chance for Poland to strengthen its energy security and its position overall," he said.

Poland is not worried about public statements that put shale gas exploration in a negative light, mostly on environmental grounds, he added.

"Let's not be afraid, let's just do our own thing. We just have to keep explaining to environmentalists and local people what it's about. From what I know, the technology keeps improving."

When asked about the origins of the negative statements on shale gas, Sikorski responded: "You try to guess."

The Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy said in April that Poland has 5.3 trillion cubic meters of shale natural gas, equal to more than 300 years of the country's annual gas consumption. If it turns out to be economically viable to extract, shale gas would reduce Poland's natural gas supply dependence on Russia's OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS).

U.S. energy giants are drilling in Poland after initial geological research showed the country may have substantial amounts of shale gas. The Polish media have recently carried reports that residents in areas where the companies are drilling are protesting against exploration out of concern it could damage the environment.

-By Marynia Kruk, Dow Jones Newswires; +48 22 447 2431; marynia.kruk@dowjones.com