China's shale gas development requires important consideration of water resources
2025-07-07 09:31:42
Abstract In recent years, China has emphasized the need to boost the development of shale gas resources as part of its broader energy strategy. According to a report published by Accenture, a globally recognized management consulting firm, water is a critical factor throughout every stage of shale gas development. As such, China must prioritize water resource management when planning and executing shale gas projects.
The report highlights that the extraction and production of shale gas require significant amounts of water, with large volumes of wastewater generated during operations. If not properly managed, this can lead to environmental contamination. Given China's unique challenges—such as high population density, limited freshwater availability, uneven regional distribution, and seasonal shortages—water sustainability must be a central consideration in the country’s shale gas expansion.
In its report titled “Water and Shale Gas Development,†released on the 29th, Accenture points out that the U.S. experience provides valuable insights. For instance, the drilling and fracturing process typically requires around 5 million gallons (189.27 million liters) of water, equivalent to about 1,000 tanker truckloads. Of this, up to 90% is used in the fracturing stage alone.
The hydraulic fracturing technique remains one of the key technologies driving shale gas production. The water used in this process is often sourced from surface water, groundwater, or municipal supplies. Alongside water and sand, a small quantity of chemical additives is injected to aid in lubrication and sterilization.
After the fracturing process, the fluid that returns to the surface contains not only the original chemicals but also substances naturally present in the formation, including radioactive materials. If these contaminants exceed safe levels, the wastewater must be transported to specialized facilities for treatment and disposal. This underscores the importance of robust environmental safeguards in shale gas operations.
The report highlights that the extraction and production of shale gas require significant amounts of water, with large volumes of wastewater generated during operations. If not properly managed, this can lead to environmental contamination. Given China's unique challenges—such as high population density, limited freshwater availability, uneven regional distribution, and seasonal shortages—water sustainability must be a central consideration in the country’s shale gas expansion.
In its report titled “Water and Shale Gas Development,†released on the 29th, Accenture points out that the U.S. experience provides valuable insights. For instance, the drilling and fracturing process typically requires around 5 million gallons (189.27 million liters) of water, equivalent to about 1,000 tanker truckloads. Of this, up to 90% is used in the fracturing stage alone.
The hydraulic fracturing technique remains one of the key technologies driving shale gas production. The water used in this process is often sourced from surface water, groundwater, or municipal supplies. Alongside water and sand, a small quantity of chemical additives is injected to aid in lubrication and sterilization.
After the fracturing process, the fluid that returns to the surface contains not only the original chemicals but also substances naturally present in the formation, including radioactive materials. If these contaminants exceed safe levels, the wastewater must be transported to specialized facilities for treatment and disposal. This underscores the importance of robust environmental safeguards in shale gas operations.
Pergola Canopy,Green Pavilion,Louvered Pergola,Pergola Aluminum
Lemon Building Material Co., Ltd. , https://www.lemonbuilding.com