"I can say that they are disposed to work positively. They are waiting for (the completion of) the tender on September 16. If named the winner of the tender, they are willing to proceed with their work as soon as possible, in compliance with the terms and conditions of the tender," he told reporters.
Butkevičius says that Chevron remains interested in the project despite Lithuania having tightened laws regulating shale gas.
"They said that the risk, of course, has increased somewhat, but they are interested in our market," he said.
Representatives of Chevron have said the company intends to support Lithuania's energy security and will stick to its long-term plans in the country.
"The meeting (with Prime Minister Butkevičius) was productive. We discussed Chevron's long-term plans to support Lithuania's energy security. The uncovering and development of national energy resources, such as gas and natural gas, would help to enhance the country's energy security, increase the diversity of resources, strengthen the country's economy and create new jobs," the company said in a comment to BNS.
Those present at the meeting were Derek Magness, the CEO of Chevron Exploration & Production Europe, and Gilbert Ankenbauer, the CEO of Chevron Exploration & Production Lietuva, Chevron's Lithuanian subsidiary.
Lithuania's ruling parties agreed last week that Chevron should be named the winner of the tender on September 16.
Chevron submitted the sole bid for the right to explore for shale gas in the 1,800-square-kilometer Šilutė-Tauragė field in western Lithuania.
