Japan has a very small amount of fossil fuel resources and produces just 16% of the energy that it consumes. Now, energy supply companies in Japan are looking for opportunities in the global shale gas market. More at the Daily Yomiuri Online.
Foreign Gas Shales
Japan Getting into Natural Gas Shales
Shale Gas Disrupting LNG Markets?
Abundant natural gas produced from shale deposits in many parts of the world is starting to disrupt the market for liquefied natural gas. Gas from shale is starting to fill local needs and the higher cost LNG will not be needed in those areas. This situation will only expand as more shale fields are developed and pipelines are built to nearby markets. More at OilWeek.
Worldwide Shale Gas Assessment
Success in the Barnett, Marcellus, Haynesville and other gas shales of the United States has caused geologists in all parts of the world to reconsider shale as a natural gas reservoir. This video explores the shale gas potential in the United States and other parts of the world, environmental challenges, the role of LNG, competing energy sources and the politics of energy.
Indian Policies on Natural Gas Produced from Shales
The Indian government is working on new ways to “tax” natural gas produced from shale in a way that distributes revenue to national and local governments. An article in The Times of India has a quote that the drilling company needs the “mindset of a manufacturer” to be successful.
Long-Term Global Role of Shale Gas
An article on the RigZone website explores the long-term role of shale gas production and how it will influence global natural gas demand.
World Map of Natural Gas Production
A world map showing natural gas production on a country-by-country basis. View at Geology.com.
Shale Gas: WorldWide Potential
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have transformed natural gas production in the United States. Those same methods are now spreading globally, improving the energy opportunities in many countries.
Horn River and Montney Boost Canada’s Gas Production
Although Canada’s natural gas production has declined in the past few years, natural gas plays such as the Horn River Shale and Montney Formation are starting to boost production. More in the Calgary Herald.
First Hydraulic Fracturing in Poland
Halliburton has done the first hydraulic fracturing job in Poland for PGNiG – the government’s oil and gas company. More at Reuters.com.
Growing Demand for LNG in China
An article at Bloomberg.com speculates that the demand for LNG (liquefied natural gas) in China might increase by 48% by 2020.
Growing Demand for Natural Gas in India
An article on the Journal of Energy Security website explores energy consumption in India. Industry there has historically used lots of coal but new sources of gas and new pipelines could significantly expand the importance of natural gas.
Major Energy Companies in Poland’s Gas Shales
Several major energy companies are getting involved in the natural gas shales of Poland. More in an article on the BusinessWeek.com website.
Shale Triggers LNG Regasification for Jamaica?
Jamaica has been considering an LNG regasification plant since 2001. Now abundant natural gas from shale and other sources appears to present a future with reliable supplies of low-cost natural gas. More in the Jamaica Observer.
Ukraine Is Anxious to Develop Their Shale Gas Resource
Russia is already one of the major natural gas producers in the world and they are also very interested in testing their extensive gas shale resource. More at the Russian International News Agency website.
Europe’s Unconventional Natural Gas Challenges
Although developing unconventional natural gas fields in Europe might be possible from a geological perspective, the task might be a lot more difficult than in the United States because of the higher population density and more intense land use. More at The Wall Street Journal.
Shale Gas Gold Rush in Poland
The Polish government is cautioning investors that the amount of natural gas contained in the country’s shale units is unknown and that more precise numbers will not be known for years. More at Business Week.
Poland: Conoco Shale Gas Drilling
ConocoPhillips plans to drill their first shale gas well in Poland next month in partnership with Lane Energy Poland. More at SFGate.com.
USGS: International Gas Shale Study
The United States Geological Survey will conduct an international study of natural gas shales. The Obama administration is soliciting other countries for participation. More at RigZone.
The Impact of Shale Gas on Gazprom
The development of shale gas plays in Europe could redefine the economics and politics of energy in that part of the world. An article on the BBC website explores the impact on Gazprom, the Russian energy company.
Shale Gas Drilling & Completions Conference
The agenda for the Shale Gas Drilling & Completions 2010 conference to be held May 26-27 is now online. The conference will “deliver key insight into applying cutting-edge drilling and completions techniques used throughout diverse shale projects in the US & Canada. Leading shale producers will share real life examples of their drilling and completions success and challenges – including experience from the Barnett, Haynesville, Horn River, Marcellus, Woodford and Fayetteville shale plays.”
Total to Explore in Southern France
Total, SA has received permits for exploratory drilling in southern France. Their goal is to test the potential for natural gas shales. More on the BusinessWeek website.
Economic and Political Impact of Natural Gas Shales in Europe
The potential for natural gas from shale in European countries has the opportunity to change the energy dynamics of the entire continent. In the past natural gas supplies have been used as political or economic weapon but now some of the countries that previously had no gas might now have their own production. More on the KyivPost.com website.
Applying US Technology to Polish Gas Shales
A number of major oil and gas companies met in Warsaw, Poland to discuss how gas shale technology developed in the United States might also be used in Poland. More at PolishMarket.com.
Karoo Basin Gas Shales – South Africa
MiningWeekly.com reports that Sasol Petroleum, Chesapeake Energy and Statoil ASA might be teaming up to explore for natural gas in the organic-rich shales of the Karoo Basin of South Africa.
ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and BP Target European Gas Shales
Although international oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and BP were not pioneers in the development of United States gas shales they are now working to acquire positions in Europe. More in a Financial Times article.
Natural Gas Shales – Are They Sustainable?
How long will the new natural gas shale plays be producing gas? 20 years? 40? More? This topic was discussed at IHS CERA conference last week in Houston. Some believe that they will be producing gas for a long time.
Gas Pipeline Company Finds Sunken Ships in the Baltic Sea
A story at AOL News reports on company building a natural gas pipeline on the floor of the Baltic Sea. They discovered a dozen sunken ships that are thought to be between 300 and 400 years old.
Gazprom Feels Pressure from Shale Gas
Increasing production of natural gas from shales around the world is changing the dynamics of LNG markets and has put pressure on Gazprom, the European gas giant. More in an article on the Business Insider website.
Major Oils Interested in European Gas Shales
An article in the Vancouver Sun reports that most major oil companies have a strong interest in European shale gas plays. They are getting a slow start because there are currently very few rigs in Europe.
Major Oil Companies Looking for Shale Gas in Europe
An article on The Vancouver Sun website explains how most of the major oil companies are looking for shale gas in Europe. A big problem is that there are currently very few rigs there.
