Shale Resources

Chinese Labourers Work At Lunnan Oilfield In Xinjiang

Countries across the globe like to talk a big game about developing their domestic shale oil and gas resources and sometimes utter lofty expectations of energy independence. Progress, however, has been very slow. The following map by the World Resources Institute (WRI) illustrates locations of the 20 countries with the largest shale gas and tight… Keep reading →

John Kerry Holds Trilateral Meeting With Canadian And Mexican Counterparts

There have been a variety of efforts in recent years to harmonize energy policy and markets across the US, Canada, and Mexico. At the North American Gas Forum meeting this past week in Washington D.C. some of these efforts were discussed. The most important change in the energy landscape has clearly been the shale boom with surprising… Keep reading →

Northeast Debates Benefits And Dangers Of Hydrofracking

On September 12 World Resources Institute had an event to unveil their new report on the fresh water impacts of shale gas development. The WRI report examines the availability of freshwater across shale plays globally. Shale resources of natural gas, natural gas liquids and tight oil are extracted using hydrofracking techniques that require substantial quantities… Keep reading →

Chinese Labourers Work At Lunnan Oilfield In Xinjiang

A new report evaluates shale energy development potential around the world and the degree to which freshwater access is likely to impact that development. Despite a fair amount of water related risk in many regions, the upside is tight resources are in early stages of exploration and production, giving stakeholders time to collaborate on water… Keep reading →

Fracking In California Under Spotlight As Some Local Municipalities Issue Bans

A new study finds much of the world’s potentially recoverable shale resources are located in regions with limited water resources needed for advanced well completion technology like hydraulic fracturing. “Water risk is one of the most important, but underappreciated challenges when it comes to shale gas development. With 386 million people living on land above… Keep reading →

Fracking In California Under Spotlight As Some Local Municipalities Issue Bans

Unconventional oil and gas operators that is. Bloomberg research indicates numerous companies operating in various US shale plays are severely overleveraged, with interest expenses making up significant double-digit percentages of revenue in many cases. “The list of companies that are financially stressed is considerable,” said Benjamin Dell, managing partner of Kimmeridge Energy, a New York-based… Keep reading →

Bread and Oil: California's Central Valley

The “out there” in this case is the Permian Basin in West Texas where Pioneer Natural resources has over 20,000 drilling locations. With over 10,000 net producing wells currently operating, the company has a significant drilling inventory that it plans to tap over the long term, assuming oil prices remain above $80 per barrel and… Keep reading →

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With all the great speakers and presentations at the USAEE /IAEE North American Conference in Anchorage this week, it’s hard to pick and choose among so many well-expressed ideas. Our USAEE updates represent just a few of our favorite quotes from the ongoing events. The US oil and natural gas production increase that’s taken place… Keep reading →