The government officials are charged with accepting bribes to compose tender bids for prospecting and exploitation licenses.
Poland is planning to invest €12.5 billion (US$16.6 billion) in shale gas by 2020. The country wants to reduce dependence on imported Russian gas, which makes up 60 percent of the natural gas used in Poland.
Poland is estimated to have up to 67.8 trillion cubic feet of shale gas deposits according to the Polish Geological Institute. Shale gas also provides the benefit of reduced greenhouse emissions.
However, Poland has been accused of excessive regulation in recent years, the Economist reported. Gas companies ExxonMobil, Talisman, and Marathon Oil have abandoned shale gas in Poland. The industry's main lobby group, the Polish Exploration and Production Industry Organization (OPPPW) has complained of "excessive controls and rights" and limits on exploration licenses.
