Global Shale Gas Development: Water Availability & Business Risks
For many countries, shale gas could strengthen energy security while cutting emissions. However, drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale resources requires lots of water for short periods—and shale resources are not always located where water is abundant.
Global Shale Gas Development: Water Availability & Business Risks analyzes water availability across all potentially commercial shale resources worldwide, and shares four recommendations to help governments, companies, and civil societies protect water security while minimizing risks.
Resources
Full Report
Global Shale Gas Development: Water Availability & Business Risks
This report analyzes water availability across all potentially commercial shale resources worldwide. It also reveals that water availability could limit shale resource development on every continent except Antarctica.
Blog Post
40 Percent of Countries with Largest Shale Energy Resources Face Water Stress
Dozens of countries are deciding whether or not to develop their shale gas and tight oil resources, as shale gas could boost recoverable natural gas resources by 47 percent, cut greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal, create new revenue and jobs, and raise national energy supplies. However, extracting natural gas and tight oil from shale poses water risk. We analyzed water stress levels in the 20 countries with the largest shale gas and tight oil resources, and found that 40 percent face high water stress or arid conditions.
Infographic
Protecting Water Security, Promoting Energy Security
This infographic, based on the related report's data, depicts the following key findings:
38 percent of the world’s shale resources face high to extremely high water stress or arid conditions.
386 million people live on land above shale plays—increased competition for water and public concern over hydraulic fracturing is more likely in densely populated areas.
In China, 61 percent of shale resources face high water stress or arid conditions.
In Argentina, 72 percent of shale resources face low to medium water stress.
In the United Kingdom, 34 percent of shale plays face high water stress or arid conditions.
Interactive Atlas
Shale Resources and Water Risks
This interactive map tool shares information that can create dialog among water users from industry, government, and civil society in river basins worldwide. It does not attempt to identify risks to water quality from shale resource development, nor does it assess the oil and gas industry’s water management practices.
Maps
Global Shale Gas Development: Water Stress at Shale Plays
This map reveals: In the 20 countries with the largest shale gas and tight oil resources, WRI analyzed the level of water stress across every play in each country. For shale gas, we found plays in 40 percent of those countries face high water stress or arid conditions: China, Algeria, Mexico, South Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, and India.
SEE MORE: Individual Country Maps
Webinar/Event
Please join us for a presentation and networking opportunity on Thursday, September 11 in Washington, D.C. Lead author Paul Reig will detail the report’s findings, conduct a tutorial for the interactive web map accompanying the report, and answer questions. The briefing will also be broadcast live via webinar.
See also the presentation slides, via Slideshare.
