Recent estimates suggest that shale gas alone could potentially provide over a third of total UK consumption by 2020, reducing dependency on imported gas up to 27% by 2035. Production from US 
shale reservoirs has increased tenfold since 2007, illustrating the viability of this prolific new source of long-term gas supply and supporting the view that shale gas could play a key role in the future of UK energy.
Although technical advancements are largely responsible for unlocking the potential of shale gas, the industry’s collaboration with a broad set of stakeholders arguably has equal and perhaps, more influence on the implementation of new shale developments.
Vice President of Engineering Technology with Range Resources Corporation, Joseph H. Frantz Jr., has worked on shale reservoirs for more than 20 years, authored and co-authored more than 40 publications and served on numerous technical committees within the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Mr Frantz examined the challenges and opportunities surrounding shale plays at an SPE Aberdeen presentation earlier this week.
Mr Frantz’s lecture was a first for SPE Aberdeen’s technical meetings, covering key technological advancements which have driven the development of shale gas, particularly hydraulic fracturing. The presentation discussed how industry and the public sector are working together to maximise the benefits that the shale play revolution presents.
Mr Frantz said:
“Shale gas could provide significant long-term local energy options for the UK as North Sea production declines.
“The extraction of shale gas through techniques such as hydraulic fracturing brings with it a range of manageable challenges. This highlights the importance of industry working with governments, regulators, academia and the public more collaboratively to maximise the immense benefits from this opportunity, while fostering the use of best practices.”
Ross Lowdon, chairman of SPE Aberdeen, added:
“Mr Frantz has experience across the upstream oil and gas industry, ranging from drilling to production and operations through to training and development. We are delighted he shared his experience with us through the analysis of the growth opportunities within the emerging shale market.”
Pictured is Joseph H. Frantz Jr., Vice President of Engineering Technology with Range Resources Corporation
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