subject: What Exactly Is Unconventional Gas? [print this page] The world in general is heavily dependent on natural gas resources; to the detriment of the earth's supplies of it. Some say we've topped out the supply and it's nowhere but depletion from here. However, our proverbial 'thirst' for this isn't depleting - it's actually increasing yearly. So what may we do? The answer may lie in unconventional gas.
Unconventional gas is natural gas resources that are not found in the usual places natural gas is found, it is typically found in such places as tight sands, coal beds and shale beds. So, what makes unconventional gas, well unconventional and an often overlooked source of natural gas? Mainly, unconventional gas needs unconventional ways to be retrieved for our uses.
Natural Gas -v- Unconventional Gas
Conventional natural gas resources are pooled, which makes it much easier to extract. It is pooled over time; 1000's of years of building up from heat and organic material trapped in rock. This really is pushed up, thereby forming pools. Unconventional gas, on the other hand, doesn't get pushed up and pooled, it remains trapped. This makes it much harder, plus much more expensive, to extract - deeming it 'unconventional'.
Scientists and companies are trying new and innovative ways to extract unconventional gas as our natural gas (conventional) resources become depleted. Unfortunately, it is an area that has often been under-examined. Now as part of your though, it is necessary that this technology comes to the forefront.
Types of Unconventional Gas
Tight sands gas is unconventional gas that is formed in sandstone or carbonate. Coal bed methane is gas trapped in coal deposits and found in the coal particles. Shale bed gas is found in fine shale rock and is trapped in clay particles. All that natural gas is there for world usage right? Unfortunately, all three of these materials have a low permeability, which means they can't allow the gas to flow through and be released into pools. That's why it's unconventional gas. More research and development must be done to find a way to retrieve the gas from the above materials.
So, even though you may have heard doom and gloom about our natural gas resources, there is definitely an answer. Unconventional gas has started to garner more interest the world over as a viable way to supply the demand of natural gas. Many companies are developing and researching cost effective methods to harvest unconventional gas. The demand for natural gas continues to grow over oil as an option since it's a cleaner fuel, and as unconventional gas grows interest it will still be that way.
Right now though, it is still rather difficult plus much more expensive to mine. Hopefully, in the years to come, the world's brilliant minds will figure out a way to bring out the unconventional gas reserves in the earth in more affordable, safer, and more efficient ways!
