美国大规模页岩气开发的若干问题

Issues of the U.S.Shale Gas Revolution

美国大规模页岩气开发取得了显著成效,能源安全得到有力保障,为经济复苏提供了坚实保障,增加了就业及政府收入,并有助于减少温室气体的排放。美国大规模开发页岩气,除源于能源供应紧张外,还有政府鼓励开发非常规能源以及页岩气开发技术日臻完善。水力压裂技术是页岩气开发的关键技术,但存在水资源被过度使用、地下水及环境被污染及人工诱发地震等潜在风险。美国页岩气持续稳定发展也面临气田产量衰减和公司盈利能力等问题。目前,为缓解天然气紧缺,欧洲也在考虑开发页岩气,但美国页岩油气爆发式发展的成功有许多是美国自身的因素,其他国家要照搬并不可取。

The large scale development of shale gas in the United States has gained a huge success which in turn ensures its energy security and economy recovery. The success can be attributed to government policies taken by federal or state to push it forward, as well as innovative technologies developed during the shale gas exploration. The hydraulic fracking technology, a key technology in shale gas exploration, could bring some potential risks such as overuse of water resources, pollution of ground water and environment, as well as artiifcially induced earthquake. Besides, issues such as sharp production decline of shale gas plays and proiftability of shale gas companies are still in hot debate. In Europe, large scale shale gas development is under precautious consideration, but it will be dififcult to replicate the U.S. shale gas experience.