Pakistan needs to develop shale oil, gas: Sustainable Development Policy Institute

[Kompromat]

Pakistan needs to develop shale oil, gas: SDPI​

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to go for development of shale oil and gas, which is sufficient to fulfill the gas and oil demand for almost next 50 years, according to a study on Tuesday.

The study titled “Shale oil and gas launched by the Energy Unit of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), revealed that by achieving this self-sufficiency through the development of these resources, the country will be able to save $15 billion, thus, eliminates trade deficit. “One advantage that indigenous Shale gas may have for Pakistan is that even at prices around $10-12 per mmbtu in the initial phases, the shale gas will have great economic benefits for Pakistan, especially in terms of job creation,” said Engr Arshad H Abbasi, the lead author of the report.

The report also showed that the shale gas exploration and production have the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy. Not only is shale gas abundant in Pakistan but it is also cheap and environment-friendly. Therefore, shale gas definitely offers an opportunity, which if exploited effectively, can help revolutionise the energy mix existing within the country, it revealed.

The effects of shale gas can be far-reaching, and, therefore, it needs to be given adequate importance at the highest Level. SDPI has recommended to the government to convene a meeting of a special task force on shale gas and oil development.
The report informs that the development of shale oil and gas is more labour intensive as compared to conventional resources, especially the drilling phase, which can accommodate both skilled and semiskilled labour. It is estimated that around 75,000 jobs will be generated during the exploration of shale oil and gas and would offer sustainable livelihoods in least developed areas.

Moreover, after successful shale gas reservoir deliverability test, a new venue of investment will be opened for investors and generate massive economic activity across the country, it showed, adding that the shale gas exploration and production may have the ability to transform Pakistan’s economy and revolutionise the existing energy mix within the country. The newly-launched report looked at the importance of developing shale oil and gas for Pakistan as a step towards reducing energy deficiency in the country. It also dilates upon the potential of gaining an economic edge that the exploration of shale gas would entail for Pakistan in South Asia. This is followed by an investigation into the state of the shale gas reserves of the country and the difficulties associated with the exploration process along with an environmental impact assessment.

Moreover, the report discusses the generation of economic activity through shale gas exploration and the benefits that can be accrued to thousands of Pakistanis who are in need of sources of sustainable livelihoods. This study for documents, for the first time, the history of development of natural gas industry in Pakistan, looking at the root causes of the gigantic energy crisis; followed by comprehensive analysis of the trends and dynamics of the natural gas market. The advent of shale gas in North America has not only revolutionised the global natural gas market but has also transformed the global energy landscape. Inspired by the economic impact and growth driven by shale gas in the US, other countries outside North America are now actively pursuing the development of unconventional resources to decrease their dependence on oil imports.

The report highlights that not only US but Canada, China and Poland have been successful in producing natural gas through these plays, while countries such as Argentina, India and Mexico are still striving to develop these resources, yet they face challenges in doing so. The report also looks at the unique nature of shale gas plays, and the unique challenges in case of each country, calling attention to an understanding of reservoir chemistry and geology through data gathering and data modelling. However, this framework towards a national energy doctrine based on indigenous resources could not have been completed without the immense support and constructive remarks from experts, intellectuals and professionals, stretching from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to the shores of Sindh, and even abroad. —Khalid Mustafa


Pakistan needs to develop shale oil, gas: SDPI - thenews.com.pk

 

[jaydee]

There is tremendous potential for Pakistan to grow exponentially.It was Pakistan which started the privatisation trend in South Asia and were far ahead of India in terms of per capita income.It is not necessary to have an industrial base like that of China or India.If we look at denmark,they specialise in diary products,Switzerland on tourism and other smaller countries on floriculture.But still they are among the richest countries in the world.Pakistan needs to work on following parameters :

1) Turn itself into a transit hub for Central Asia,Middle East,China,and maybe upto europe through Iran or Afganistan or the Old SIlk route.It will give major fillip to Pakistani economy and huge investments will flow into pakistan and billions of dollars could be earned in transit fee alone.
2) Turn to friendly countries for investments in energy sector.Huge coal reserves are laying unused.Hydro power generation is expenisve to execute but is virtually free when developed,so some focus in that sector.Already you have a plan on generating 9000 MW electricity through nuclear power.Let's pray that these projects are well executed.India is making great strides in solar power sector.
3) Increase the budget on R&D in defence sector and market aggressively your defence equipment.It will augment your efforts to be an Asian tiger in next two decades both economically and militarily.
4) Invest on your educational sector.Less research is done in Pakistan.A country can never develop,until they have a developed educational setup.Doesn't necessarily mean copying the western model because it doesn't develop humans morally or spiritually.
5) Textile industry needs a vision and develop five year action plans.Better marketing and more contemporary designs are needed which will help you tap more market globally.
6) Develop shale oil and gas.
7) Your IT sector had made some progress initially but soon the tempo fizzled.India is earning billions just because of IT sector.

I sense Pakistan is on the cusp of major economical turnaround.