Technology is evolving…fast. And with this advancement comes new opportunities, fresh challenges and, in many cases exciting rewards.

In the oil and gas industry, the exploration of shale gas wells is becoming an increasingly likely source by which to supply the world’s rising energy demands, made increasingly possible by technological innovation and operational advances.

In fact, the global demand for natural gas is expected to rise by almost 50 per cent between now and 2030. And this will bring with it a number of benefits. Because natural gas is not just more affordable. It is also more efficient, reliable and flexible.

With Fifth Ring deemed the ‘energy experts’ of the communications sector, it made sense for us to better acquaint ourselves with the latest developments in this sub-sector. And who better to advise us than Pascal Bartette, the CEO of oil and gas industry specialist, Reservoir Group, a company which has built its reputation the exploration of hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Mr Bartette spent an informative hour discussing the potential of shale gas, detailing why it is only now becoming accessible, the techniques involved in extraction, and the controversy that is directed at it from some corners of the globe.

He explained that while we have known about the existence of natural gas for a number of years, it has previously been uneconomical to develop, because it is locked in tight, hard rock that requires specific techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, to extract it.

However, the introduction of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (the two most prominent techniques used in shale gas exploration) has made it quicker and more efficient to bring to market.

At the moment, much of the global potential expected of natural gas is just that — potential. Exploration and production of this resource has grown tremendously in recent years, but in order to make it a realistic source, it will require considerable amounts of investment, sustained research & development and a proven commitment to the environment.

The key to exploiting shale gas is an occasionally controversial combination of horizontal drilling from the surface, coupled with hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as ‘fracking’ – involving the injection of a mixture of sand, chemicals and fluid into the well under very high pressure. This causes rock to shatter, releasing the gas and giving it a route to the production well.

Environmental opposition to shale gas ‘fracking’ mainly results from the fear that toxic chemicals may migrate into ground water, thereby contaminating it.

However, as Pascal noted, ‘the less people know about things, the more frightened they are’. And indeed, the power of the media currently does little to quell this uncertainty.

However, Pascal believes that ‘logic will prevail’ as dependency on natural gas rises, stating that instead of being a nuisance, lobbyist pressures are healthy, providing an element of governance in an industry that does not always demonstrate sufficient self-control.

He believes that we are just at the start of the story… and that one day, the ‘unconventional’ may just become ‘conventional’.