Under the theme of Resource Potential and Essential Problems for Shale Gas Exploration and Development in China, the 376th session of Xiangshan Science Conferences was held from June 1 to 3 in Beijing.
Shale gas is natural gas mainly stored in shale formation both as absorbed gas and free gas with commercial exploitation value. Since 2000, shale gas production has expanded rapidly in the United States. Its annual production in 2009 exceeded that of coal-bed gas in this country, (and the total production amount of all types of natural gas in China in the same year), accounting for 13-15% of the annual production of natural gas in the United States, largely reducing its energy pressure.
Shale gas studies are also actively conducted in other countries. China has similar amount of shale gas reserves as the US, which are mainly distributed in the regions and targed formations that were previsouly overlooked. It is estimated that the exploration of shale gas could increase China's oil and gas prospecting area by 20% and beyond, especially in south China with a huge population, rapid economic development and an acute lack of energy sources. In recent years, China has made substantial efforts in promoting shale gas exploration. However, its weak theoretical studies in this regard has largely hindered the exploration progress of shale gas in this country. Shale gas is different from other types of natural gas. Its theories and models could not be copied from other countries. Inefficient geological studies to deal with special issues of shale gas in China has slowed its exploration development. As an alternative to China's conventional natural gas resources in the near future with largest potentials and most rapid increase in production, shale gas has received high attendtion.
At the 376th session of the Xiangshan Science Conferences, experts and scholars from various fields were invited to have an in-depth discussion on the following four topics: (1) Geological conditions of shale gas in China; (2) Potentials and promising exploration belts for shale gas in China; (3) Geological charateristics related to the exploitation of shale gas in China; (4) Trends of shale gas exploration in China and countermeasures.
Executive co-chairs:
DAI Jinxing, Research Professor, China Research Institute of Petroleum & Development
ZHAO Pengda, Professor, China University of Geosciences
JIA Chengzao, Research Professor, China National Petroleum Corporation
WANG Tieguan, Professor, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
JIN Zhiyun, Research Professor, Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC
ZHANG Jinchuan, Professor, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Key-note Review Report
Resource Potential and Essential Problems for Shale Gas Exploration and Development in China (ZHANG Jinchuan)
Reports on Central Topics
Geological conditions for shale gas in China (FAN Tailiang)
Potentials and promising exploration belts for shale gas in China (LI Jingming)
Geological charateristics related to the exploitation of shale gas in China (PANG Xiongqi)
Trends of shale gas exploration in China and countermeasures (LI Yuxi)
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