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UK offshore shale reserves could exceed 1000 trillion cubic ft

World 鶹ýӳ,


According to recent claims by experts, the UK鶹ýӳs total offshore shale reserves could exceed 1000 trillion ft3, a figure five times the estimate for onshore reserves. Reserves of just 200 trillion ft3 would place the UK somewhere in the top 20 countries with the largest shale reserves, the revised figure would see the UK rise straight to the forefront of that list with an estimated supply similar to that of China or the USA.

Although the exact amount of the shale reserves that are actually recoverable is uncertain, many experts agree that the figure is highly likely to be enough to render the UK energy self-sufficient.

Melvyn Giles, Shell鶹ýӳs head of unconventional gas and light tight oil, speaking about Europe鶹ýӳs potential shale resources, said, 鶹ýӳWe have potentially huge volumes present in the subsurface 鶹ýӳ the volumes are mind-blowingly big 鶹ýӳ The figures appear to suggest the shale resources are so large that the question is not how much is out there, but how much can be retrieved 鶹ýӳ how much can be economically assessed in an environmentally acceptable way.鶹ýӳ

At present, in order for offshore shale operations to become economically viable, conventional oil prices would have to rise to US$ 200 per bbl. Though this may seem unlikely in the immediate future, some analysts have already pointed out that, 鶹ýӳwe鶹ýӳre dealing with a finite resource, so it will happen.鶹ýӳ Additionally, a UK parliamentary committee stated that, 鶹ýӳWhile these (costs) might be economically unviable at present, 鶹ýӳuneconomic鶹ýӳ reserves can become economic quickly as technology and prices shift.鶹ýӳ One source agreed saying that, 鶹ýӳIt鶹ýӳs getting cheaper as the industry develops. If costs keep coming down, prices might not have to be so much higher to make the economics work.鶹ýӳ

It was announced earlier this week that the temporary ban on onshore fracking in the UK had been lifted. The ban was originally enforced after fracking in northern England was connected to several minor seismic events.

Edited from various sources by David Bizley

Read the article online at: /business-news/19042012/uk_offshore_shale_reserves_could_exceed_1000trillion_cubic_ft/

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