Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Damon Evans
1 June 2015
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Cautious optimism over China's shale-gas plans

The country’s huge reserves are not living up to their promise

China could become the world’s largest importer of natural gas over the coming decades. But its extensive unconventional gas resource base could help stem its rising reliance on foreign energy supplies. “Significant shale gas production could start taking the heat out of gas import growth around 2025,” Gavin Thompson, an Asian gas specialist at Wood Mackenzie, told Petroleum Economist. The energy research firm forecasts shale output to hit between 120 billion and 140 billion cubic metres (cm) in 2035. But given China is pumping just 5 billion cm per year (cm/y) now, the projection is “undoubtedly the single biggest risk factor in our China gas analysis,” added Thompson. It’s no secret that C

Also in this section
Nigeria bullish about oil recovery
9 July 2025
Efforts to restructure and boost investment appear to be working, but doubts remain about the plan to almost double crude production by 2030
The death knell for UK energy security
7 July 2025
The end of Grangemouth and Lindsey oil refineries marks a worrying trend across Europe amid cost and transition pressures
Petroleum Economist: July/August 2025
3 July 2025
The July/August 2025 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
Middle East Gas Conference 2025
2 July 2025
The global energy community will converge in Dubai on 10 December for a landmark event dedicated to shaping the future of natural gas across the region

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search