KIEV, Oct. 30 - The government on Wednesday approved a production sharing agreement with Chevron to allow the U.S. company to tap shale gas deposits in Ukraine.

"The government approved the agreement," Environment and Natural Resources Minister Oleh Proskuriakov told reporters.

The approval is the final step before the government officially signs the PSA with Chevron at a ceremony that is expected to take place in Kiev on November 5.