An analysis of reservoir formation, potential productivity and environmental pollution effect of shale gas in China

Abstract：China actually needs more shale oil/gas resources because the demand for fossil energy is expanding at present and its shortage tendency sweeps the whole world. Therefore, unconventional oil/gas resources, especially the exploration, development and utilization of shale oil/gas resources have been put on the agenda of social progress and economic development, and have been highly emphasized by many countries in the world. Consequently, shale oil/gas has now become a hot topic in China’s energy and technology fields and government departments. After a period of hot-hype and assessment without sufficient grounds, the authors put forward some points of view on the basis of an analysis and discussion of data available both in China and abroad, i.e. we should (1) comprehend the modes of occurrence and development conditions of shale oil/gas countries all over the world, especially in North America, and then understand independently the distribution state and potential in China based on adequate evidence; (2) understand the attributes and prospects of shale gas, the background of survey and storage in China, and more comprehensively carry out geophysical exploration of shale and shale gas as well as choose good promising typical areas for demonstration research, acquisition and exploration; (3) redefine the exploitation process, condition and environmental pollution degree of shale gas and key questions queried by many countries in the development of shale gas; (4) formulate comprehensively the development scheme and development route-map of shale gas in China from the viewpoint of concepts, practices and understanding; (5) not invest vigorously and implement eagerly exploitation and development of shale gas at present because the prospect is not optimistic.