Introduction
The shale industry in Australia is very much in its
infancy and the full extent of shale gas resource is far from being
identified. However, both exploration and interest in
Australia's shale gas potential have increased significantly in
the last few years. According to a report published by the US
Energy Information Administration (EIA) in June 2013, Australia
enjoys geological and industry conditions resembling those of the
US and Canada, with an estimated technically recoverable shale gas
resource of 437 TCF.1
Shale plays in Australia
Australia is ranked seventh of the 41 countries reviewed by the
EIA for shale gas resources, following Mexico and ahead of South
Africa. Western Australia alone is estimated to hold the fifth
largest reserves of shale gas in the world, being 280 TCF (235 TCF
in the Canning Basin and 45 TCF in the northern Perth
Basin).2 Australia's estimated technically
recoverable shale gas resource exceeds its estimated
