SHALE GAS CHALLENGES IN SAUDI ARABIA

Unconventional resources represent nearly two thirds of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves. They have drawn attention due to their potential in replenishing the world’s growing energy demand. The United States, for instance, has successfully utilized feasible-hydraulic fracturing technology to produce gas from the Barnett shale and other plays. Likewise, Saudi Aramco recently announced a total investment of US $10 billion for developing unconventional gas resources in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia could benefit from the experience from the hottest shale plays in the United States which have comparable characteristics with the Silurian shale formation. In this study, we attempt to address the possibility of implementing the approaches used in exploiting the unconventional resources in the United States to overcome the similar challenges faced in Saudi Arabia. We compared the challenges of drilling difficulties and water availability. The results will provide possible solutions that could lead to the success of unconventional resources exploitation in Saudi Arabia. The utilization of Saudi Arabia’s unconventional resources could cover the shortage of the energy demand in the region.