Chongqing leads shale revolution

Positive outlook: a couple observe the city skyline in Chongqing, China

AP/SCANPIX

By Xu Yihe Singapore

 23 August 2012 22:59 GMT

The metropolitan region of Chongqing in south-west China is poised to lead the country’s shale gas development push, aiming for first shale gas production by 2015 with annual throughput targeted at 1.5 billion cubic metres.

That would account for 25% of China’s production target for that year.

The target, if realised, will make Chongqing China’s top shale gas producing area.

Municipal authorities have worked out plans to drill between 150 and 200 wells by 2015 over pilot areas, and another 350 from 2015 to 2020.

Local officials said the municipality is home to 12.75 trillion cubic metres of shale gas in place, with 2.05 trillion cubic metres recoverable — the third largest reserves in China.

Out of the 19 frontier regions singled out for pilot exploration by the National Development…

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