KIEV, Sept. 1 - Royal Dutch/Shell on Thursday became the first oil major to sign an agreement with Ukraine, opening door for exploration and production of shale gas in the country.

The agreement was signed by UkrGazVydobuvannya (UGV), Naftogaz Ukrayiny’s gas producing arm, and by Shell Exploration and Production Company.

The two companies will focus on exploration at six gas fields, located in Dniprovsk-Donetsk basin. Shell is expected to invest $800 million into the project, including $200 million in exploration and about $600 million in extraction of gas.