How can shale power the world

This report's methodology for estimating the shale resources outside the United States is based on the geology and resource recovery rates of similar shale formations in the United States referred to as analogs that have produced shale oil and shale gas from thousands of producing wells.

However, given the variation across the world's shale formations in both geology and above-the-ground conditions, the extent to which global technically recoverable shale resources will prove to be economically recoverable is not yet clear.

The market impact of shale resources outside the United States will depend on their own production costs and volumes. For example, a potential shale well that costs twice as much and produces half the output of a typical U.

In many cases, even significantly smaller differences in costs, well productivity, or both can make the difference between a resource that is a market game changer and one that is economically irrelevant at current market prices. Several nations have begun to evaluate and test the production potential of shale formations located in their countries. Poland, for example, has leased prospective shale acreage and drilled 43 test wells as of April The process requires as much as five barrels of water—for dust control, cooling and other purposes—for every barrel of shale oil produced.

Oil shale extraction is also very energy-intensive, and as such is no solution to our global warming woes. Researchers have found that a gallon of shale oil can emit as much as 50 percent more carbon dioxide than a gallon of conventional oil would over its given lifecycle from extraction to tailpipe. Due to these concerns and others, 13 environmental groups, including the Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council, teamed up in January to file suit against the federal government for opening up all that western U.

The suit contends that the BLM failed to properly consider air quality and endangered species impacts in the region. The groups also contend that the development would require the construction of 10 new coal-fired power plants in order to get at and process the oil shale, significantly upping the carbon footprint of the entire region. Box , Westport, CT ; earthtalk emagazine. Read past columns at: www. EarthTalk is now a book! Details and order information at: www. Already a subscriber?

Tight oil production in the United States. There are several reasons why the development of shale oil and gas has taken off in the United States. The United States is unique in that the owner of the land owns the hydrocarbon resources underneath the property — unlike elsewhere in the world where governments own subsurface mineral rights.

The oil and gas industry has access to capital and has abundant expertise with U. Regulations in the United States promote the development of oil and gas and provide a stable and predictable permitting process. Finally, the U. Although these factors have contributed to a recipe for success in the United States, each new geological and political situation will demand a unique approach to developing shale resources elsewhere in the world.

Global shale basins. Energy Information Administration January Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.