THE Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to launch the Sustainable Operating Practices Initiative for European unconventional gas.
GTI and GFZ say that, through this initiative, they intend to develop and execute projects targeted to address the environmental impact of unconventional gas exploration and production activities in Europe.
Guy Lewis, MD for unconventional gas at GTI, said: “Considerable growth potential for unconventional gas development beyond North America has been identified, but for it to be developed successfully, it must be environmentally and economically sustainable.
“There are stakeholder concerns to be addressed in Europe and elsewhere, including impact on drinking water supplies and quality, air quality, noise, truck traffic and surface disturbance.
“The general public and policymakers need comprehensive and transparent information on the benefits and risks associated with these resources.”
Far to the east, China intends to auction eight shale gas exploration blocks in Q1 this year, two more than originally planned.
The eight blocks will cover a total area of 18,000sq km, according to Zhang Dawei, deputy director of the oil & gas strategy centre at the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR).
The auction, the first of its kind in China, was originally open only to the four Chinese energy firms with domestic oil & gas exploration permits – PetroChina, Sinopec, China National Offshore Oil Corp and Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group. But the government has decided to make others eligible.
“We’re adding companies such as Sinochem, Xinjiang Guanghui and Zhenhua which have experience in overseas oil & gas exploration,” said Zhang.