What is shale gas development?
What is shale gas development?
Shale gas formations are “unconventional” reservoirs – i.e., reservoirs of low “permeability.” Permeability refers to the capacity of a porous, sediment, soil – or rock in this case – to transmit a fluid. Tight gas differs from shale gas in that it is trapped in sandstone or limestone, rather than shale formafions.
When did shale gas boom start?
In the past decade, shale gas experienced an extraordinary boom in the United States, accounting for only 1.6 percent of total US natural gas production in 2000, 4.1 percent by 2005, and an astonishing 23.1 percent by 2010. This remarkable growth has spurred interest in exploring for shale gas resources elsewhere.
Who are the biggest shale gas producers?
Chevron is the largest shale oil producer in the U.S. In 2020, the California based Big Oil company produced an average of 387,000 barrels of shale oil and condensate products per day. That same year, the company ranked second in a list of largest U.S. oil and gas companies based on market capitalization.
What countries have shale oil?
Geographical allocation
| Deposit | Country | In-place oil shale resources (million metric tons) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Devonian | United States | 27,000 |
| Heath Formation | United States | 25,578 |
| Olenyok Basin | Russia | 24,000 |
| Congo | Democratic Republic of Congo | 14,310 |
Where is shale gas found in the world?
Shales were deposited in ancient seas, river deltas, lakes and lagoons and are one of the most abundant sedimentary rock types, found at both the Earth’s surface and deep underground. Shale gas is natural gas found in shale deposits, where it is trapped in microscopic or submicroscopic pores.
Which shale gas field produces the largest amount in the US?
The Barnett play
Barnett: Texas The Barnett play has been called the largest natural gas field onshore in the United States. It covers over 5,000 square miles in Texas. Because of the rock and sand that is around the hydrocarbon deposits, this is also one of the most difficult plays to extract.
What is shale oil vs crude oil?
The primary distinction between crude or conventional oil and shale oil is the way it collects. The oil in shale is typically found in smaller batches. As a result, shale oil often needs to be fractured so that the oil trapped within the shale can be recovered.
What is importance of shale?
Shale gas is having a beneficial impact on supplies and consumer prices for natural gas, as well as additional environmental benefits: Natural gas provides a quarter of overall U.S. energy; It is used to generate a quarter of the nation’s electricity.
What does the Department of Energy do for shale gas?
DOE has a legacy of helping pioneer technologies and processes to improve shale and other unconventional gas extraction, as well as enhance environmental protection. DOE research continues to search for innovative solutions to shale exploration, development, production and environmental protection challenges. Want to learn more?
Are there any shale gas fields in the United States?
In some cases, this fast expansion has resulted in natural gas drilling and production activity in parts of the country that have seen little or no activity of this type in the recent past. This page has been designed with the public in mind, and we want your feedback.
Can a shale gas well be produced any other way?
A company is constructing a new shale gas well on or near my property and will use hydraulic fracturing. Can’t the gas be produced some other way? In most cases, no. In an unconventional reservoir like shale, the gas is often taken from the rock itself. So the reservoir must be “mechanically stimulated” to break apart the rock and release the gas.
How does hydraulic fracturing work for shale gas?
For most shale wells, hydraulic fracturing involves injecting under high pressure several million gallons of water, sand and a small amount of chemical additives. Some of this fluid mixture (10-20 percent) immediately returns to the surface via the well and is called flowback.