Shale Gas a Potential or a Danger ?

Shale gas is non conventional natural gas formed within shale formations at very deep profoundness (3000 m).  Like for the normal conventional gas, methane (CH4) is the principle molecule that constitutes the Shale Gaz. Shale gas is therefore very similar to the conventional natural gas. The main difference between the two gases is not related to the gas chemistry but to the extraction method.

The Shale gas is extracted following non standard methods (Hydraulic fracturing) that will qualify this gas as non conventional gas.  This method that allows extracting the gas from the shale formation consists on propagating fractures on rock layers with high pressurized fracking fluid. This method has raised ecological concerns due to the environment impact it could get. 

Different countries have proven shale gas reserves. Most important reverses are located in China, USA, Algeria and so on.

So does shale gas represent an important potential for those countries and viable conventional gas and alternative source or does shale gas represents such a danger for the environment that it exploitation should be limited?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a product and what do we know today on this gas and it exploitation? 

The response of this question is different following to whom it is addressed: Those who are for this industry or those on the contrary who are against it. 

We will hear therefore that:

- Shale gas could be a big source of energy that could be explored during

  those periods where conventional energies become less abundant. 

  Detractors will say that this new energy source exploitation cost could 

  be very important and even if proven reserves have been found, 

  the exact exploitable portion of this potential gas is much smaller than 

  what we expect. So it is probably not the energy source of tomorrow…

- Shale oil has an environment impact lower than coal. The equivalent of 

  this gas as coal will produce double carbon dioxide CO2 quantities, 

  however  research studies confirms that the exploration of the shale 

  gas will leave in the atmosphere important gas quantities that will 

  make the shale gas harmful for the environment and more than coal…

  Scientists does not agree on this point and different of their respective     studies are in contradiction.

- Users installed near exploitation areas say that potable water 

  contamination problems (hydrocarbon in water) have been seen and 

  are important problems linked to technology used for the extraction.

  Extraction companies will minimize this impact and will speak about 

  punctual accidents that occur in normal exploration activities.

  

So as readers, what are your opinions on this subject?