Pakistan has over 50 trillion cubic feet of Shale
gas reserves, according to the US Energy Information.
U.S Energy Information
Administration (EIA)
has come out with a report (51 mb) on global shale gas potential that includes
some Indian sedimentary basins as well. The report has been prepared for the
EIA by Advanced Resources International, a company based in Virginia, U.S.
LOCATIONS OF SHALE GAS RESERVES
IN PAKISTAN
Conventional gas reservoirs are created when natural gas
migrates from an organic-rich source formation into permeable reservoir rock,
where it is trapped by an overlying layer of impermeable rock.
In contrast, shale gas
resources ancient gas deposits form within the organic-rich shale source rock
below 2000 feets. The low permeability of the shale greatly inhibits the gas
from migrating to more permeable reservoir rocks.
As reported, Pakistan needs investment and technical assistance to develop these reserves. US
oil and gas companies are pioneers and leaders in shale gas development.
Process of Hydraulic Fracturing
of Shale Natural Gas Extraction Deveoped in USA.
Hydraulic Fracturing- Shale Natural Gas Extraction
Educational video describing the unique process of Hydraulic
Fracturing.
Merits of Shale Gas.
Ø Cheap domestic gas can start flowing from Pakistani
shale in a couple of years if Pakistan can make a deal with US(
should be based on mutual respect).
Ø It is estimated that Pakistan will have to pay a
maximum of $6.50/Btu for the gas compared with $12.30/Btu for gas imports from
Iran.
Shale Gas Technology and American Policy in USA .
Demerits of shale gas processing as reported.
As reported, though it does
burn much cleaner than coal and oil, the process of extraction of shale gas is
not without risks, particularly risks to the environment. In the United States,
there have been many reports of ground
water contamination from
chemicals used to fracture rocks, as well as high levels of methane in water
wells. In the absence of tight regulations and close monitoring, such pollution
of ground water could spell disaster for humans and agriculture.
Viability of Shale Gas:
Further safety concern about Shale Gas.
Investigate further the obvious consequences.
Reports on the rising issues surrounding the
unregulated industry of mining Shale natural gas via Fracking, or Hydraulic
Fracturing.
Video-i
Video-ii
Gas/Oil
production is peaking. The easy oil and gas has been consumed. What remains
will increasingly be harder to get to and more complicated to extract. The
business of oil/gas extraction will get increasingly untidy.
Suggestion:
The above highlighted demerits should be taken into account prior taking any decision in this
regard. Pakistanis are not in a position to bear any financial lose further.
Pakistan do not have vast territory/agricultural
land like USA OR AUSTRALIA and not in a position to risk/ lose any agricultural land and live stocks.
In case of heavy floods like preceding years
there are chances of vast contamination of drinking/ agricultural waters with chemicals
used in the process and gas which may cause unrecoverable disaster.
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