ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM) plans to start hydraulic fracturing next week on its second test well in Poland, near the eastern town of Siennica, Jim Johnston, board member of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Poland, said Wednesday.

Outside the U.S. , Poland is one of the first countries where companies are seriously attempting to develop shale gas--a development the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called the country's "great chance," because it could reduce Poland 's dependence on Russian gas, create tens of thousands of jobs and fill state coffers.

ExxonMobil has six licenses to explore for shale gas in Poland .

In the Lublin Basin, Exxon is operating in partnership with French oil major Total SA (TOT), which holds a 49% stake in the licenses.

In the Podlasie Basin , Exxon has partnered with Hutton Energy.

Johnson was speaking in Krakow at a conference on Europe 's unconventional gas sector.

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