Thursday 11 July 2013

SHALE GAS: A TERRORIST TO NIGERIA'S ECONOMY by Charles Flow

Shale gas is natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations. Because shales ordinarily have insufficient permeability to allow significant fluid flow to a well bore, most shales are not commercial sources of natural gas.
Shale gas is one of a number of unconventional sources of natural gas; others include coalbed methane, tight sandstones, and methane hydrates. Shale gas areas are often known as resource plays (as opposed to exploration plays).
The geological risk of not finding gas is low in resource plays, but the potential profits per successful well are usually also lower. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States since the start of this century, and interest has spread to potential gas shales in the rest of the world.

Nigeria is nowhere to be found in the growing list of shale oil and gas production in the world. In a recent report by the United States-based, Energy Information Administration, EIA, (statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy), the most prospective shale formations are found in a group of 41 countries.

The Federal government should push for unconventional discoveries like shale in Nigeria; diversification of the economy especially solid minerals and agriculture. Nigeria is known for oil. But today, many countries around the world have found oil. The recent discovery of shale oil and gas means that we can no longer depend on oil to drive the economy.

As a geologist and a concerned Nigeria, I plead with our leaders to "ACT NOW". Nigeria has all it takes to use agriculture as its new frontier for growth.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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