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Title: Shale Gas in China: Prospects, Concerns, and Potential International Collaboration

Journal Article · · International Shale Gas and Oil Journal
OSTI ID:1275262

Shale gas resource potential in China is assessed to be large, and its development could have wide-ranging economic, environmental, and energy security implications. Although commercial scale shale gas development has not yet begun in China, it holds the potential to change the global energy landscape. Chinese decision-makers are wrestling with the challenges associated with bringing the potential to reality: geologic complexity; infrastructure and logistical difficulties; technological, institutional, social and market development issues; and environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on water availability and quality, and air pollution. This paper briefly examines the current situation and outlook for shale gas in China, and explores existing and potential avenues for international cooperation. We find that despite some barriers to large-scale development, Chinese shale gas production has the potential to grow rapidly over the medium-term.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1275262
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-6A50-60042
Journal Information:
International Shale Gas and Oil Journal, Vol. 1, Issue 1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English