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Contents:

•   Improved production techniques gives access to an abundant resource
•   Current global conditions are very favorable for the development of shale gas
•   A revolution that gas could upset the global energy picture

While it was not talked about in France a few months ago, unconventional gas (CNG) have made ​​a grand entrance in the energy landscape. It's the U.S. that the techniques for extracting these gases trapped in rocks such as sandstone and shale have been perfected and have open access to new and very large deposits. The consequences are serious because facing the depletion of oil resources, these gases could represent almost double the gas reserves so-called "conventional". In total, the world would be assured of having more than one hundred years of use if it continued at its current pace. The impact of these new resources on the price of gas is already significant. The economic crisis and the decline in imports in the U.S. have released quantities of gas are transferred to other markets, driving prices down spots on other continents, remarkable phenomenon at a time when commodity prices tends to increase. This drop is hardly noticeable, however the French consumer, for which the price of gas, indexed in long-term contracts to over 80% on the price of oil continues to increase.
The energy balances are changed, many uses is now directing the gas to the detriment of coal, nuclear - which recovery is delayed - and even renewable energy. Regarded by some experts as the greatest energy revolution of recent decades, these gases there are nevertheless questions about the impact of their operations on global warming, environmental (noise, emissions, footprint, pollution risk aquifers, use of large amounts of water) and on the economic activities associated with it. In France, authorizations permits have recently sparked controversy. The Ministers in charge of industry and sustainable development launched in February 2011 a fact-finding mission whose results must be communicated in June 2011.

The work schedules of manufacturers have been adapted to take account of this mission, and no exploration work will take place by the end of the mission.

•   Authors: Etienne Beeker , Sustainable Development Department, Centre for Strategic Analysis.

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