Shale gas industry grows in China

World Today

As the world’s biggest energy consumer, China is promoting the use of energy such as shale gas for greener growth. The government wants to substantially increase its shale gas yields in the next decade and beyond.

Our reporter Han Bin was given exclusive access to a shale gas field in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, where he witnessed signs of this industry’s rapid growth.

Shale gas is natural gas that is trapped in shale rock or mud-stone formations. It’s a cleaner energy source than other fossil fuels, because burning natural gas produces fewer carbon emissions than coal.

Sheng Zhonglan had never expected that her farmland could yield anything more valuable than vegetables.

She lives in a remote mountain village of Chongqing, where heavy oil exploration equipment is being put in place.

This is where China hopes to find vast stores of natural gas trapped in shale rock.

“I got to know what shale gas is when I saw the construction site. I’ve seen the great flames, and was very excited. I’m happy to learn that there could be huge amount of gas under my house. If it is enough, we can use it,” Sheng said.


Ranping Song on China’s clean energy

CGTN’s Susan Roberts interviewed Ranping Song, developing country climate action manager at the World Resources Institute about China’s future energy exploration and use.