About shale gas

Shale gas represents a major unconventional resource which to date has only been exploited within the continental USA. It is a self-sourced resource in which thermogenic or biogenic methane is contained within a fine grained organic-rich, low permeability matrix, occurring in free, adsorbed and dissolved states. While high energy prices and advances in fracturing technology have enabled shale gas production to become a lucrative reality, it is the prediction of gas concentration, partition behaviour and rock properties ahead of drilling that is of paramount importance for reducing risk and identifying “sweet spots” or fairways. Significant advances have been made over the last five or so years, but the processes involved remain poorly understood. There are great opportunities for major breakthroughs in the science and technology addressing gas shales.