Beetaloo Sub-basin: one day closer to production – the energy required to open the next great unconventional shale gas basin

Abstract

The search has been on for explorers and technical scientists to find the world’s next major unconventional shale basin. Unconventional Shale plays are out there, but it takes a tremendous amount of energy to not only find the basin but also to deliver it to production. The journey starts with the rocks (and most of the time ends with the rocks). But the presence of the rocks doesn’t guarantee commercial production. Strategy, technology, approvals, and access to capital played incorrectly, could have delayed the Beetaloo’s development; however, it will be those things, and more, that will ultimately deliver the Beetaloo to production. Strategies used to date in the basin have likely slowed progress. Technology has been critical in unlocking unconventional gas basins around the world; however, evidence suggests the use of technology may have delayed the development of the Beetaloo instead of progressing it to production. Finally, bringing the basin to commercial production requires access to capital markets. Can we deliver the technical data, size of the prize, and surety that investment in Australia is safe and in good hands for decades? We are closer now, more than ever before, to bringing the Beetaloo to commercial, large-scale production after over 10 years of trying, but perseverance and energy are needed to get it across the line.