International Shale: It’s Coming

In the era of shale, operators working international opportunities frequently cast their eyes on the U.S. for expertise and analogs. The world’s top oil producers—ExxonMobil Corp., Chevron Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, BP Plc, Total SA, among others—have risen in the ranks of shale producers in recent years. Notably, large- and medium-sized independents remain dominant within North America.

Outside the U.S., shale development also has huge potential. Top countries with significant oil and gas resources include Russia, China and Argentina. Importantly, successful development of shale resources is highly dependent on geology, infrastructure and technical expertise. The relative youth of international shales means that there is still much to learn. Good analogues and direct know-how can fill this gap in understanding.