Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Prospects for Shale Gas Development
in China
SHU JIANG
ABSTRACT
China has the largest estimated quantity of recoverable shale gas in the
world. Inspired by the shale gas revolution in the US, China is trying to
replicate the successful US experience to produce shale gas to power its
economy, which is the second largest in the world, and mitigate the
pressure felt from being the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter.
Both optimistic and pessimistic prospects for China shale gas devel-
opment have been debated in the last several years. The promising
prospect of shale gas development in China is based on having the
largest shale gas resources in the world, huge internal demand, the
government's supportive policy and an established preliminary com-
mercial production. The challenges for China shale gas include: the
complex geology in marine, transitional and lacustrine settings; lack of
advanced shale gas technologies and experience; insucient infra-
structure; environmental issues, especially the complex tectonic and
stress conditions; high clay mineral content for lacustrine shale; harsh
ground conditions; and water shortages. These issues have meant that
US hydraulic fracturing experiences do not work well for China's shales.
However, shale gas provides an indispensable opportunity for China to
develop this enormous resources to secure its energy supply gap; power
its fast-growing economy; create socioeconomic and employment
benefits; mitigate pollution pressure; and increase geopolitical leverage.
Increasing knowledge of China's shale geology; Sino-foreign joint
exploration;
shale gas
technologies
as
commodity;
indigenous
