Data revolution before shale revolution
China needs to replicate the US approach of making more data available before it can hope for game-changing shale production growth
A September shale gas discovery by the PetroChina arm of China ‘big three’ oil firm CNPC, in the Sichuan basin, has been hailed as a breakthrough because of the shallower-than-usual depth at which it was made. But it will make little difference to China’s likelihood of hugely undershooting its 2020 shale gas production target. Beijing remains hopeful that funding shale gas exploration will help reduce China’s growing reliance on gas imports, as part of a wider growing concern over the country’s energy security in the wake of geo-political tensions with the US and its significant Asian naval strength. But analysts argue that root-and-branch reform of the structure of the Chinese gas industry
Also in this section
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
11 March 2026
De la Rey Venter, CEO of LNG player MidOcean Energy, discusses strategy, project developments and the prospects for the LNG market
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
