Introduction to Shale

Abstract

Today’s energy intensive lifestyle needs exploration of hydrocarbon such as crude oil and natural gas. Hence, there is a need to develop some unconventional resources such as shales, gas hydrates and CBM. They are called unconventional due to their need for new and different technology for exploration. This chapter is dedicated to introduction of one of the unconventional resource i.e. shales, their composition, structure and uses. The first exploration of shale gas was as early as in 1825. As the present exploration of shale will have a major impact on future energy needs, it becomes very necessary to know about the shale resources and its characteristics.