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ARTICLE · 16 APRIL 2013

Financing Australia’s shale gas revolution

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Will shale gas be the "game changer" for world energy markets that many analysts predict?

AustraliaEnergy and Natural Resources
Jeremy King
Jeremy King
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Will shale gas be the "game changer" for world energy markets that many analysts predict? It's certainly a revolution in the US with 20% of the nation's natural gas supply already coming from shale. This is forecast to rise to 46% by 2035.

Shale gas also presents a major opportunity in Australia with the discovery of large deposits. But it could easily fall victim to the same environmental and reputational issues that have stricken the CSG sector.

How can these risks be overcome so that the industry can move towards becoming a viable alternative to conventional gas supplies?

WHAT IS SHALE GAS EXTRACTION (SGE) AND HOW BIG IS IT?

Shale rock is situated deep below conventional gas deposits and is both a source and reservoir for natural gas. Horizontal drilling together with hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") is used to move natural gas deposits from the shale to the surface.

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