Pakistan Among Top 10 Countries With Highest Shale Oil Reserves

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/06/us-eia-estimates-pak-shale-oil-reserves.html

Pakistan has more shale oil than Canada, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) report released on June 13, 2013.

The US EIA report estimates Pakistan's total shale oil reserves at 227 billion barrels of which 9.1 billion barrels are technically recoverable with today's technology. In addition, the latest report says Pakistan has 586 trillion cubic feet of shale gas of which 105 trillion cubic feet (up from51 trillion cubic feet reported in 2011) is technically recoverable with current technology.

The top ten countries by shale oil reserves include Russia (75 billion barrels), United States (58 billion barrels), China (32 billion barrels), Argentina (27 billion barrels), Libya (26 billion barrels), Venezuela (13 billion barrels), Mexico (13 billion barrels), Pakistan (9.1 billion barrels), Canada (8.8 billion barrels) and Indonesia (8 billion barrels).

Pakistan's current annual consumption of oil is only 150 million barrels. Even if it more than triples in the next few years, the 9.1 billion barrels currently technically recoverable would be enough for over 18 years. Similarly, even if Pakistan current gas demand of 1.6 trillion cubic feet triples in the next few years, it can be met with 105 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas for more than 20 years. And with newer technologies on the horizon, the level of technically recoverable shale oil and gas resources could increase substantially in the future.

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[TD="class: tr-caption"]Source: US EIA Report 2013[/TD]
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As can be seen in the shale resource map, most of Pakistan's shale oil and gas resources are located in the lower Indus basin region, particularly in Ranikot and Sembar shale formations.

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[TD="class: tr-caption"]Source: US EIA Report 2013[/TD]
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Since the middle of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution has transformed the world. Energy has become the life-blood of modern economies. Energy-hungry machines are now doing more and more of the work at much higher levels of productivity than humans and animals who did it in pre-industrial era. Every modern, industrial society in history has gone through a 20-year period where there was extremely large investment in the power sector, and availability of ample electricity made the transition from a privilege of an urban elite to something every family would have. If Pakistan wishes to join the industrialized world, it will have to do the same by having a comprehensive energy policy and large investments in the power sector. Failure to do so would condemn Pakistanis to a life of poverty and backwardness.





The availability of large domestic shale oil and gas expands the opportunity to reducePakistan's dependence on imports to overcome the current energy crisis and to fuel the industrial economy. But it'll only be possible with high priority given to investments in developing the energy sector of the country.


http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/06/us-eia-estimates-pak-shale-oil-reserves.html
 

Expatriat

Councller (250+ posts)
Riaz Sahib ! You're rocking these days. First , a well-articulated political program 'Viewpoint From Overseas' and now all this research-based activity/posts on blogs and internet forums. Sir, active politics ka iradaa lag raha hai aap ka ?
 

muslim01

Siasat.pk - Blogger
Its so stupid of Pakistan that we have massive coal, oil and gas reserves and we are importing coal from China, oil from GCC and planning to import gas from Iran or Turkmenistan :S

Instead of spending $4 Bn on Iran gas pipeline.. why dont we start extracting natural resources that we have?

Its all corruption! Zardari and Nooras are the same!
 

ryzvonusef

MPA (400+ posts)
Just to clarify... Shale oil is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to get!

----

You see, in shale oil, the petroleum products are not in a liquid-y form like normal crude oil is, so you can't just put a pipe and pump it out.

Shale oil is much more solid and mixed with impurities, it's actually closer (~?) to coal, with the catch that that coal is easier to both GET and USE! (Mining coal is much more easier, and using is even more so, you just burn it! Not the same with Shale Oil)

Here is a picture of shale oil, so you can get an idea:

10KM-Burning-Blocks-Oil-Shale.jpg


First of all, the actual mining process, and then getting any useable petroleum out of solid shale is MUCH more expensive, so much so that, at least currently, it's CHEAPER to just buy oil.

So no, shale is not the solution to our problem...at least not yet. Maybe not in the current decade even.

But maybe one day, when the easier to get crude petroleum deposits dwindle, and petroleum prices rise, then shale oil will be competitive enough.

----

Btw, keep track of Jordan, they have loads of *high quality* shale. If they start exporting...

Also to be considered is whether our shale is of good enough quality...

In other words, thande raho, itni jaldi nahin jan chutni :D

----

Here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_oil_extraction

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_economics
 

zhohaq

Minister (2k+ posts)
Just to clarify... Shale oil is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to get!

----

You see, in shale oil, the petroleum products are not in a liquid-y form like normal crude oil is, so you can't just put a pipe and pump it out.

Shale oil is much more solid and mixed with impurities, it's actually closer (~?) to coal, with the catch that that coal is easier to both GET and USE! (Mining coal is much more easier, and using is even more so, you just burn it! Not the same with Shale Oil)

Here is a picture of shale oil, so you can get an idea:

10KM-Burning-Blocks-Oil-Shale.jpg


First of all, the actual mining process, and then getting any useable petroleum out of solid shale is MUCH more expensive, so much so that, at least currently, it's CHEAPER to just buy oil.

So no, shale is not the solution to our problem...at least not yet. Maybe not in the current decade even.

But maybe one day, when the easier to get crude petroleum deposits dwindle, and petroleum prices rise, then shale oil will be competitive enough.

----

Btw, keep track of Jordan, they have loads of *high quality* shale. If they start exporting...

Also to be considered is whether our shale is of good enough quality...

In other words, thande raho, itni jaldi nahin jan chutni :D

----

Here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_oil_extraction

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_economics

Sorry dude wanted to hit like.

The big breakthrough is in hydraulic fracking is in extraction is shale gas not oil.
If we have substantial reserves of Shale oil means probably there also is a lot of Shale gas.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2011/05/pakistans-vast-shale-gas-deposits.html

Interestingly one of the key components in the fluid used to cause the fracture is exported from Pakistan/ India.
Guar is type of wild pea that was used till recently as animal feed. Now the price has sky rocketed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar

But we already have discovered fields of tight gas we are not developing. Not to mention Thar Coal which Samar Joker Mand is trying to turn into gas.:lol:
 
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jee_nee_us

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
We can not totally depen upon it , but it can be a part of solution rathar than the whole soultion. Use whatever we have inside our country to produce energy.
 

zzubairkhalid

Councller (250+ posts)
All is useless , they want to keep the country in begging stage , thus no taxes to richy rich in VIP category thus they can impose new taxes on them therefore best to beg and keep the country in this stage so free and easy money is there
 

fasmik

Senator (1k+ posts)
Its of no use for us, unless some company from US/ Canada feels sympathy and agrees to extract it for us, since these are only two countries with proven technology for fracking.
 

ryzvonusef

MPA (400+ posts)
Sorry dude wanted to hit like.

The big breakthrough is in hydraulic fracking is in extraction is shale gas not oil.
If we have substantial reserves of Shale oil means probably there also is a lot of Shale gas.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2011/05/pakistans-vast-shale-gas-deposits.html

Interestingly one of the key components in the fluid used to cause the fracture is exported from Pakistan/ India.
Guar is type of wild pea that was used till recently as animal feed. Now the price has sky rocketed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar

But we already have discovered fields of tight gas we are not developing. Not to mention Thar Coal which Samar Joker Mand is trying to turn into gas.:lol:


No problem.

I would be very wary of Shale Gas claims. Also, Hydraulic Fracking has a very bad repute due to claims about polluting water resources and causing earthquakes. Let the US people do the experiments on their own land first.

Thanks for the link about Guar.

Okay what's this Thar Coal Gas thing? Anybody got any info on it?
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/04/pakistans-energy-security-via-shale-gas.html

US natural gas prices have fallen below
$2 per million BTU (approx 1000 cubic feet), about one-sixth of the price Pakistan has agreed to pay for Iranian gas. With over 50 trillion cubic feet (revised up to 105 TCF in 2013) of known shale gas reserves in Sindh alone, Pakistanis can also enjoy the benefits of cheap and abundant source of energy for decades via the shale gas revolution already sweeping America.



Increased production of gas from shale rock in the US has created a huge new supply, pushing down gas prices from $13/BTU (million British thermal units) four years ago to just $2/BTU today, even as the price of oil has more than doubled. By contrast, the Iran pipeline gas formula links the gas price to oil prices. It means that Pakistan will have to pay $12.30/BTU at oil price of $100/barrel, and a whopping $20/BTU for gas if oil returns to its 2008 peak of $150/barrel.

To encourage investment in developing domestic shale gas, Pakistan has approved a new exploration policy with improved incentives as compared with its 2009 policy, a petroleum ministry official said recently. Pakistan Petroleum is now inviting fresh bids to auction licenses to explore and develop several blocks in Dera Ismail Khan (KPK), Badin (Sind), Naushero Firoz (Sind) and Jungshahi (Sind), according to Oil Voice.



In addition to the fact that the Iran gas is extremely expensive, the entire Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project raises other serious issues as well.

Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Issues:

1. Chinese investors and contractors have pulled out of the project for fear of being hit by US sanctions on their banks and other companies.

2. Russia's Gazrom is reportedly interested but only if it gets the deal at whatever price it decides to charge without any competitive bidding.

3. Pakistani companies and financial institutions are also under threat of US sanctions if they participate in the project.

4. If the pipeline does eventually get built, it will still be several years before gas starts to flow to Pakistan.

5. If Iran is still under US sanctions when the Iranian gas imports finally begin, Pakistan will have difficulty paying for the gas using international banking system. Iran has already been suspended by SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, which is the main mechanism used for international bank transactions.

6. The largest chunk of Pakistan's trade deficit is accounted for by energy imports. Iranian gas bill will only worsen this deficit, contributing to yet another balance of payments crisis sending Pakistan back to IMF.



Advantages of Domestic Shale Gas Development:

1. Cheap domestic gas can start flowing from Pakistani shale in a couple of years if Pakistan can make a deal with US (and American pioneers of shale gas like George Mitchel's Devon Energy) to invest and execute on an accelerated schedule in exchange for dropping Iran pipeline.

2. Pakistan will dramatically reduce its dependence on foreign sources and save a lot of foreign exchange spent on hydrocarbon imports.

3. Gas burns a lot cleaner than coal which is also a option given vast amounts of it in Thar desert. World Bank and other International financial institutions are more amenable to financing shale gas development than coal.

4. Abundant and cheap domestic gas supplies can help reduce electricity load-shedding which is caused mainly by under-utilization of installed generating capacity for lack of affordable fuel.

Shale gas revolution began a few years ago when an American named George P. Mitchell defied the skeptics and fought his opponents to extract natural gas from shale rock. The method he and his team used to release the trapped gas, called fracking, has paid off dramatically. In 2000, shale gas represented just 1 percent of American natural gas supplies. Today, it is over 30 percent and rising.



Among the potential downsides of shale gas development is the possibility of groundwater contamination reported in some places in the United States. Such risks can be minimized by following accepted practices to protect the aquifers which are found at levels well above the deep shale rock fractured for extracting natural gas.

Cheap and abundant energy is a pre-requisite for rapid economic growth in any country. Pakistan is no exception. The sooner Pakistanis recognize and resolve this crisis, the better it will be for the south Asian nation.

http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/04/pakistans-energy-security-via-shale-gas.html
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
Here's a summary of a market research report on developing oil and gas resources in Asia Pacific, including Pakistan:

The new Asia Pacific shale gas report from OGANALYSIS noted that soaring demand, rapidly escalating LNG prices are forcing countries to look for possibility of shale gas production. In particular, China and India are witnessing rapid rise in demand and accordingly are planning to realize shale production earlier than planned. Australia is also planning to exploit its shale reserves to supply feed gas for its planned liquefaction terminals.

Success of the US shale and ongoing activities in Europe are encouraging Asian players to develop policy and frameworks for shale gas development. While China is allowing foreign companies to participate in shale exploration, India is planning to launch first bids in 2013. Over 10 companies are actively perusing shale operations in Australia and Pakistan and Bangladesh are in plans of identifying their reserve potential.

The report analyzes the current status, potential and feasibility of shale development, ongoing activities, government stance and companies operating in each of the key Asian shale markets including Australia, china, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The research work also identifies the top trends of Asia Pacific shale market. Key drivers and challenges faced by countries along with feasibility of first commercial production are also discussed in detail. Further, the Asia Pacific shale gas report from OGANALYSIS discusses physical characteristics of major basins in each country along with their reservoir properties and resource characteristics. Further, shale formations and key plays in each basin are discussed in detail. Basin wise company information along with the current status of activities in permits awarded is analyzed. In addition, company wise shale activities are provided for leading ten companies.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/18/5505941/asia-pacific-shale-gas-market.html
 

AsifAmeer

Siasat.pk - Blogger
This is interesting.. Didnt know all this. I know more about Quantum Electro Dynamics than Shale oil.

Tell me something. I hear that the water requirement for shale is very high. And Water is not a luxury for people of the sub-continent. So how does that play out in the current dynamics?

Just to clarify... Shale oil is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to get!

----

You see, in shale oil, the petroleum products are not in a liquid-y form like normal crude oil is, so you can't just put a pipe and pump it out.

Shale oil is much more solid and mixed with impurities, it's actually closer (~?) to coal, with the catch that that coal is easier to both GET and USE! (Mining coal is much more easier, and using is even more so, you just burn it! Not the same with Shale Oil)

Here is a picture of shale oil, so you can get an idea:

10KM-Burning-Blocks-Oil-Shale.jpg


First of all, the actual mining process, and then getting any useable petroleum out of solid shale is MUCH more expensive, so much so that, at least currently, it's CHEAPER to just buy oil.

So no, shale is not the solution to our problem...at least not yet. Maybe not in the current decade even.

But maybe one day, when the easier to get crude petroleum deposits dwindle, and petroleum prices rise, then shale oil will be competitive enough.

----

Btw, keep track of Jordan, they have loads of *high quality* shale. If they start exporting...

Also to be considered is whether our shale is of good enough quality...

In other words, thande raho, itni jaldi nahin jan chutni :D

----

Here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_oil_extraction

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_economics

Sorry dude wanted to hit like.

The big breakthrough is in hydraulic fracking is in extraction is shale gas not oil.
If we have substantial reserves of Shale oil means probably there also is a lot of Shale gas.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2011/05/pakistans-vast-shale-gas-deposits.html

Interestingly one of the key components in the fluid used to cause the fracture is exported from Pakistan/ India.
Guar is type of wild pea that was used till recently as animal feed. Now the price has sky rocketed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar

But we already have discovered fields of tight gas we are not developing. Not to mention Thar Coal which Samar Joker Mand is trying to turn into gas.:lol:
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
Here's an OilPrice editorial on oil and gas potential in FATA:

Pakistan’s Tribal Areas (FATA) and Frontier Regions (FR) are believed to have massive reserves of oil and natural gas—which Pakistani officials have suddenly become very keen to demonstrate. But this is a highly restive, war-torn area where one right move could make all the difference, and one wrong move could ignite a conflict with irreversible consequences.

For now, the area remains unexplored and it was only in 2008 when Pakistani geologists began to study the area in earnest, with the support of the local authorities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and the Frontier Region (FR). The results of this research were collected, processed and digitized in June 2012. The geologists discovered seven new oil and gas seepages during the mapping. The geologists also claim that 11 oil and gas exploration companies have already reserved 16 blocks in Fata.

The potential:

• Pakistani geologists say Fata in particular is poised to become a “new oil state” whose production could rival Dubai’s in only five years
• The FR is bursting at the seams with gas, so they say

Here’s what the interest looks like so far:

• 17 companies have initiated operations in Fata/FR (in Khyber, Orakzai, North and South Waziristan, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Tank and DI Khan)
• Tullow has been active in Pakistan since 1991,…

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Tapping-into-Pakistans-Massive-Oil-and-Gas-Reserves.html
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
This is interesting.. Didnt know all this. I know more about Quantum Electro Dynamics than Shale oil.

Tell me something. I hear that the water requirement for shale is very high. And Water is not a luxury for people of the sub-continent. So how does that play out in the current dynamics?

The fact is that shale gas extraction uses a lot less water than other forms of energy production and the water can be reused in producing more gas.

Here's a comparison:

One MMBtu, or 1 million British thermal units, a standard measurement for the energy content of fuels, was produced from these energy sources using the following amounts of water:

Deep shale natural gas 0.60-5.80 gallons

Nuclear (uranium ready to use in a power plant) 8-14 gallons

Conventional oil 8-20 gallons

Synfuel-coal gasification 11-26 gallons

Coal (ready to use in a power plant) 13-32 gallons

Oil shale 22-56 gallons

Tar sands/oil sands 27-68 gallons

Fuel ethanol from corn 2,510-29,100 gallons

Biodiesel from soy 14,000-75,000 gallons

http://www.greeningofoil.com/post/Deep-shale-gas-drilling-uses-least-amount-of-water.aspx
 

onlykami

MPA (400+ posts)
Kya faida Pakistan say shale gas niklay ya heera hum nay tu phr bhi IMF k pass hi jana hai, Ghairat tu hamaray andar ratti barabar nahi raha :angry_smile:
 

RiazHaq

Senator (1k+ posts)
Kya faida Pakistan say shale gas niklay ya heera hum nay tu phr bhi IMF k pass hi jana hai, Ghairat tu hamaray andar ratti barabar nahi raha :angry_smile:

Pakistan's oil imports of over $13 billion a year make current account worse and cause balance of payments problems requiring IMF bailout. Eliminating the need to import oil can change all that and make Pakistan energy-independent with a current account surplus.
 

onlykami

MPA (400+ posts)
I agree with you 100 % but my point is that the problem is with there "intentions", Actually they never want o stablilize Pakistan because of there assets and business and childrens and...... everything is in US or in Europe.

Pakistan's oil imports of over $13 billion a year make current account worse and cause balance of payments problems requiring IMF bailout. Eliminating the need to import oil can change all that and make Pakistan energy-independent with a current account surplus.
 

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