Assessment of Unconventional Natural Gas Resources

In the 21st century, the petrochemical industry has experienced a significant increase in oil and gas consumption due to the growing global population and energy demand. Among nonrenewable resources, natural gas stands out as the cleanest option, making it an essential resource for the energy industry in comparison to other hydrocarbons. Unconventional gas, including shale gas, tight gas, coalbed methane, and gas hydrate, has emerged as a substantial hydrocarbon resource. This study aims to explore the environmental impacts, geological features, obstacles, and technical challenges associated with the exploitation of unconventional gas reservoirs, encompassing aspects such as energy demand, consumption and production, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and reservoir geology properties. The paper also reviews the various approaches to developing unconventional gas in different countries, with a particular focus on the United States. The findings indicate that the feasible development of unconventional gas is indeed possible in different countries. However, the future outlook for this resource will heavily rely on several factors, including addressing environmental concerns, investment in renewable energy, and the state of global gas markets.