A number of European countries have banned the exploration of shale gas due to imperfect technology, as well as the presence of a real threat to the environment. However, in Ukraine, the issue of shale gas production is being worked out with might and main.
Exploration of shale gas deposits takes place at the Oleskoye and Yuzovskoye fields, which affects many areas - Ternopol, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Donetsk, Kharkov. The western part of the country can still restrain attempts to explore gas deposits with the help of local councils, which are concerned about environmental risks. The Pervomaisky district of the Kharkov region is already being developed by Shell gas producers.
What is shale gas?
Shale gas is the same natural gas, but produced from oil shale. It consists mainly of methane. Since LNG is located in a rock with low porosity, its production in the usual way is impossible. Its extraction occurs with the simultaneous application of three technologies: horizontal directional drilling, formation blasting at several stages and seismic type modeling.
Among other things, this fuel has several disadvantages. Firstly, this is a high cost (compared to traditional gas). Secondly, it cannot be transported over long distances. In third place among the shortcomings is the rapid depletion of deposits. Also, a small share of proven fuel reserves in the total volume and real environmental risks from gas production can be attributed to minuses.
