Vast reserves of natural gas can be found trapped in densely packed rock such as shale. Here is how it is reached
1,500m-6,000m
Concrete casing
Shale rock
Bore
1
A vertical hole is drilled into the shale rock. The drill can run horizontally once it enters this layer of rock
2
Bore is lined with concrete and an electric current is used to perforate holes into the casing and shale
Sand is used to
keep fissues open
3
High-pressure water, sand and various chemicals are pumped into the bore and perforated holes where it fractures the shale
4
Gas in the rock is forced into the bore and flows to the surface
Vast reserves of natural gas can be found trapped in densely packed rock such as shale. Here is how it is reached
1,500m-6,000m
Sand is used to
keep fissues open
Concrete casing
Shale rock
Bore
1
A vertical hole is drilled into the shale rock. The drill can run horizontally once it enters this layer of rock
2
Bore is lined with concrete and an electric current is used to perforate holes into the casing and shale
3
High-pressure water, sand and various chemicals are pumped into the bore and perforated holes where it fractures the shale
4
Gas in the rock is forced into the bore and flows to the surface