CSIRO research investigates shale properties.

Shale gas research program

CSIRO is currently developing a shale gas program to cover research issues and the delivery of services to the Australian petroleum industry.

• 17 August 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

Shale gas research program

Shale gas production is a major industry in the United States and the success in producing this unconventional resource has led to significant interest in Australian shale gas.

CSIRO has considerable expertise in shale characterisation and methods to enhance recovery of gas from low permeability formations.

Supported by experimental and modelling capability, our expertise spans both geological and engineering aspects of shale gas and includes:

• sedimentology
• stratigraphy
• regional tectonics
• structural and seismic interpretation
• reservoir characterisation
• reservoir engineering
• rock properties.

CSIRO has a long track record of service in many of these areas and is consulting with industry to develop an appropriately targeted shale gas research program.

Program duration and structure

CSIRO’s shale gas research program will have a flexible structure that will accommodate:

• investment in CSIRO funded strategic research
• co-funded research and development (R&D) programs sponsored by CSIRO, government and industry
• industry funded asset specific applied research
• provision of specialised services.