Abstract
The article considers the primary evaluation of the shale gas resource potential in Kazakhstan and outlines the most problematic issues for the large-scale shale gas production across the state. The authors pay special attention to the national strategy of the Kazakhstan government in the sphere of the unconventional energy production and define the likely technological and environmental problems for the shale gas extraction. It is also stressed in this chapter that application of the fracking technologies could cause both positive and negative effects on the economy of Kazakhstan. Therefore, further steps in this direction should be based on the meaningful and comprehensive geological data regarding the shale gas potential.
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Notes
- 1.
The first report entitled “World Shale Gas and Shale Oil Resource Assessment” was prepared by the EIA in April 2011. It provided information on world shale reserves expanding on the 69 shale formations within 32 countries. The second report updates a prior assessment of shale gas resources. It assesses 137 shale formations in 41 countries outside the USA.
- 2.
Joint-Stock Company Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” was founded in accordance with the Decree of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated October 13, 2008 No. 669 “Оn some measures on competitiveness and sustainability of national economy” Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” is established in order to enhance competitiveness and sustainability of national economy and prevent any potential negative impact of changes in the world markets on economic growth of the country.
- 3.
The JSC National Scientific and Technological Holding “Parasat” with 100% state participation in the authorized capital established pursuant to the decision of the Republic of Kazakhstan Government dated July 3, 2008. However, on March 11, 2015 due to the order of the Committee of State Property and Privatization of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC “Parasat” was reorganized in the form of division into joint-stock companies National Science and Technology Center “Parasat,” “Science Fund,” and “National Center of Seismology.”
- 4.
According to the current research conducted on the 15 sedimentary basins of Kazakhstan, deep oil and gas deposits of the Caspian Depression are estimated at 67 billion tons of oil equivalent and 27 billion tons of oil equivalent are recoverable.
- 5.
Evaluation was made by the Institute of Geography of the MES.
- 6.
The part of the solution (from 10 to 90%), which returns to the earth’s surface after fracturing and requires costly disposal. At the same time, the other part of the solution, which was injected into the bowels, actually is forming a polygon of underground burial of liquid toxic industrial waste.
- 7.
Specific water supply per unit area and per capita.
- 8.
The methane concentration can greatly exceed the safe level. It can cause explosions, because methane is not explosive unless it is mixed with oxygen. For instance, there was Pennsylvania case when the water taken from local wells was on fire.
- 9.
The cooperation agreement was signed on April 3, 2015. The two companies will conduct joint exploration and research works to develop the most optimal coalbed methane production technology. Earlier this year, KazTransGas signed a memorandum of cooperation in exploration and production of coalbed methane with Gazprom Dobycha Kuznetsk, a subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom.
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Parkhomchik, L., Syrlybayeva, B. (2016). Evaluation of the Shale Gas Potential in Kazakhstan. In: Zhiltsov, S. (eds) Shale Gas: Ecology, Politics, Economy. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 52. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2016_83
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2016_83
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