KIEV, May 16 - Industrial gas production at the Yuzovska (Kharkiv and Donetsk regions) and Oleske (Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions) fields is to begin in 2017, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eduard Stavytsky said.

"Considering all the procedures, by the end of the year it will be realistic to sign a production sharing agreement with Shell and Chevron [the winners of the tenders for Yuzovska and Oleske, respectively]. Drilling at the Yuzovska field should begin next year, and testing-industrial development - in 2015. At the Oleske fieldwork will likely begin in 2014, and testing-industrial development - in 2016. Full industrial development [at both deposits] will be in 2017," Stavytsky said.