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Unconventional gas
Following the unconventional gas boom of the last couple of years in the United States, the
search for similar resources has turned elsewhere – particularly Europe,
where large potential indigenous supply is complemented by pervasive gas security
concerns and the need to invest in a cleaner, more climate-friendly
hydrocarbons portfolio.
Unconventional gas resources
of particular interest on the European continent are tight gas and shale gas, as well as coalbed methane. The
potential for all of these in Europe is high, and interest from foreign and
domestic gas producers has been demonstrated in countries including Poland,
France, the UK, Hungary, and Germany.
Shale Gas and Tight Gas
Shale
gas and tight gas - essentially, natural gas which must be liberated by
means of mechanical fracturing of the rock (sandstone, limestone or, in
the case of shale gas, shale) in which it is trapped - are
associated with formations spread widely across northern and central
Europe.
Although
exploratory drilling has occurred in several countries, certain
barriers to the replication of America's success remain to be
overcome. These include:
- work remaining to be done in proving exact resource levels and location;
- a scaling up of specialised drilling infrastructure and knowledge;
- overcoming popular and political resistence to the development of the resource
Coalbed Methane
Although
European reserves are commensurately smaller than for shale and tight
gas, cbm development activity associated with mines (coal mine methane)
has taken place over the last decade in central Europe and elsewhere, and there are
now plans to develop the resource from unmined seams in certain
countries. Energy Edge expertise on coalbed methane is also
discussed here.
Experience
Energy
Edge has built a consultancy based upon the insight that in the energy
field, the intersections of commodities, sectors and interests mark
some of the most compelling stories in terms of opportunity
mixed with risk. Our personnel whose expertise and experience
focus in particular on the frontiers between coal, gas and carbon
markets include Karl Schultz, with expertise in climate mitigation and coalbed methane, and Linus Adler, consultant on unconventional gas development.
We have a
broad portfolio of relevant experience, with recent projects including:
- Working
with German coal industry experts, assessed by basin and state potential reserves
of shale gas, tight gas, and coal bed methane in Germany as well as current expected
investment and development activity. From preliminary resource estimates as well
as from existing economics of unconventional gas development, extrapolated
levels of economic reserves and price signals needed for development.
- Performing
an analysis of emissions reduction potential
within a national industrial and power portfolio as part
of a white paper produced by a major international gas production
company
- Numerous
CBM/CMM-related projects for national and corporate entities, including:
o launching of a start-up CMM venture
o analysis
of worldwide CMM and unconventional gas opportunities for a major international
coal producer
o corporate,
national and mine-related greenhouse gas emissions inventorying, strategy, and
training
If you have questions about unconventional gas or the potential for
carbon emissions reductions, why not contact Energy Edge today?
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