Shale Gas/Natural Gas Testing

Shale gas is natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations [1]. Shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks that can be rich sources for petroleum and natural gas. Shale gas will greatly expand worldwide energy supply. It has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States. In 2000, shale gas made up only 1% of US total natural gas supply; in 2010 it was over 20% and the US Energy Information Administration predicts that 46% of the US natural gas supply will come from shale gas in 2035. [2]

Shale gas is difficult to extract in that it requires the exploration of many different new technologies. Conventional natural gas can be derived when natural gas migrates toward the Earth's surface from an organic-rich source formation into permeable reservoir rock. While shale gas resources form within the organic-rich shale source rock containing the sedimentary deposition of mud, silt, clay, and organic matter on the floors of shallow seas. This situation greatly inhibits the migration of gas to more permeable reservoir rocks. [3] Nowadays people usually use horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to exploit shale gas.

Figure 1 Geometry of conventional and shale gas resources. [3]

Shale gas is now becoming increasingly important in the worldwide energy supply. Alfa Chemistry can provide you accurate shale gas testing and analysis for purity, components and contamination. We have high precision analytical instruments, such as GC-MS, ICP, ICP-MS, HPLC-MS and other trace chemical analysis instruments to support your natural gas exploration and production in all stages (down to ppb or ppt levels). We offer international standards and testing methods to conduct natural gas composition and quality study, such as ASTM D7833, D1945, D1946, D3588 and GPA 2261/2286, etc.

• Natural gas composition analysis:

methane(CH₄), ethane(C₂H₆), propane(C₃H₈), butane(C₄H₁₀), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen(O₂), pentane(C₅H₁₂), hydrogen (H₂), nitrogen(N₂), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), trace rare gases, trace metal(like Arsenic, Barium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc and other metals)

• Shale gas impurities analysis:

Siloxanes
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
Organic halides
Other trace chemicals

As a leader in the field of oil and gas testing and inspection, Alfa Chemistry will solve your shale gas composition and impurities analysis problems. We provide services with fast turnaround time and reliable results. No matter what your concern is, we are always ready to help. If you have any problems regarding shale gas/nature gas, please contact us directly.

References

• (2013) U.S. Energy Information Administration Eia.gov. Retrieved.

• Stevens, Paul (2012). "The 'Shale Gas Revolution': Developments and Changes". Chatham House. Retrieved.

• (2010). "Energy in Brief” by the Energy Information Administration.