KIEV, Feb. 26 - Italy's Eni, working in conjunction with Britain's Cadogan Petroleum, could sink a first prospecting well for shale gas in Ukraine as early as this year, according to Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Oleh Proskuriakov.

"All specialists are receiving the necessary training in Europe. They should stake the first well this year," Proskuriakov said at the Ukrainian Energy Forum, organized by the Adam Smith Institute.

Eni chief Paolo Scaroni said last autumn that he saw considerable potential in unconventional gas production in Ukraine.