China has 25 trillion cubic meters of recoverable shale gas

China’s Ministry of Land and Resources released on Thursday official information of the country’s shale gas reserves, having found potentially recoverable resources of 25.1 trillion cubic meters – less an earlier estimate of 31 trillion cubic meters but still one of the largest reserves of shale gas in the world. The new estimate is enough gas to meet the country’s current consumption for about two centures if fully extracted.

Now China wants to boost shale gas recovery and development, and state-owned firms have already teamed up with global companies such as Shell, Chevron and BP, which have expertise in shale gas exploration. The Asian nation will likely have to revamp its gas sector, building up a sufficient pipeline infrastructure, reforming the gas pricing system and developing a clear regulatory framework for shale gas activities.