Prospect and technology of unconventional gas exploration and development in China

Abstract

The rapid development of natural gas lays the foundation for the unconventional gas development. In 2015, unconventional natural gas production is 44.9Bcm, accounting for 34.06% of total natural gas production. Increasing demand of natural gas provides a wide developing space for unconventional natural gas. China has deployed unconventional natural gas resource evaluation to different extent, which mainly includes tight gas, CBM and shale gas. Unconventional gas E&P in China is still in its initial stage. By 2015, 1.6 Tcm proved reserves and 36 Bcm production has made China tight gas entering a large scale and commercializing stage. CBM development is still in the initial stage of E&P, with less reserve and production, in the early stage for commercialized development. Shale gas has a significant breakthrough since its proved reserves reached to 544.1Bcm, and production reached to 4.5Bcm. At present, conventional gas develops rapidly in China. During the next 5-10 years, it will also take the dominant position in the natural gas development. Unconventional gas will play a more and more important role in the long-term development of natural gas.