Global shale oil and gas production is set to increase. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Global shale oil and gas production is set to increase, with Algeria among those countries looking to exploit its shale gas reserves

According to a recent report from leading data and analytics company titled Global Data titled  “Emerging Oil and Gas Shale Plays", notable increases in production are expected over the next few years, including the USA, the current leading producer. These are driven by technological advancements and significant discoveries in countries such as China, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. GlobalData’s Strategic Intelligence report, “Emerging Oil and Gas Shale Plays,” reveals that the US was the undisputed leader in global shale oil and gas production with over 80% share in 2024, thanks to its vast reserves, advanced extraction technologies, and supportive regulatory environment.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, commented, “The combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling has unlocked unprecedented volumes of shale resources, particularly in formations like the Permian Basin, the Eagle Ford, and the Marcellus Shale. The growth of the shale industry has bolstered the US energy independence, reducing reliance on foreign oil and altering the country's geopolitical strategy.”

Canada holds the second-largest recoverable reserves of shale oil and gas after the USA. It is also ranked second in production due to the technological similarities with its neighbour and government encouragement for unconventional hydrocarbon development.

Argentina is another emerging hotspot for shale oil and gas, particularly the Vaca Muerta formation, which is characterised by strategic asset management by YPF, significant infrastructure investment, and robust growth in production and exports.

Recently, China has made significant progress in shale oil exploration, which could enhance its energy security and reduce dependency on foreign oil supplies, while Saudi Arabia is exploring gas shales within its northern and eastern regions, targeting a 60% rise in its gas output from 2021 to 2030.

Algeria, which has significant proven shale gas reserves, is reported to be negotiating with the USA’s ExxonMobil and Chevron, global leaders in shale production, on an agreement that would allow them to explore and develop Algeria's natural gas reserves, including its shale gas reserves. Algeria is seeking to revive its flagging oil and gas sector, on which its economy is heavily dependent, and boost gas exports, with an eye on Europe as it seeks alternative suppliers to Russian pipeline gas.

Puranik said, “The future of shale oil and gas will be shaped by a delicate balance between technological innovation, cost efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Countries that can align production growth with carbon management and energy transition goals will not only secure domestic energy resilience but also strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive and sustainability-driven global market.”

The AEC’s expansion into China signals a new era of energy diplomacy.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has launched a new international office in Shanghai, China, marking a strategic step to deepen energy collaboration between Africa and China

This move is aimed at fostering stronger partnerships between African governments, energy companies, and their Chinese counterparts while positioning Africa not just as a player, but as a force in global energy dialogue.

The Shanghai office will serve as a vital link for Chinese companies and government institutions seeking to invest in or collaborate with Africa’s energy sector. Bieni Da has been appointed as the Chief Representative of the AEC in China. He will lead all engagements and ensure the Chamber plays a key role in bridging the two regions. The goal is to encourage long-term cooperation and drive investments that benefit both Africa and China, especially in strategic sectors like energy infrastructure, technology, and development.

A core mission of the new office is to close Africa’s substantial energy financing gap, currently estimated between $31 billion and $50 billion. Although energy demand across the continent is rising, many African companies lack access to capital. The AEC sees China as a prime source of both funding and technical expertise. Under  Bieni Da’s leadership, the Shanghai office will actively work to connect Chinese financiers with African energy projects and scale up investment in oil, gas, renewables, and energy infrastructure.

In recent years, Chinese companies have increasingly invested in Africa’s energy landscape. For instance, Wing Wah is leading the US$2BN Bango Kayo oilfield expansion project in the Republic of Congo, focusing on monetising flared gas for domestic use. Meanwhile, CNOOC is expanding across the continent, engaging in deepwater exploration in Angola, pipeline development in East Africa, and offshore projects in Mozambique and Tanzania. CNPC has invested in Mozambique’s Coral South FLNG and signed a major crude oil agreement with Niger.

“The AEC wants to see greater Chinese investment across the entire African oil and gas value chain – from upstream projects to downstream infrastructure to manufacturing, power and technology. China offers significant expertise in these areas and the Shanghai office will unlock new collaborative opportunities in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy and more,” said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the AEC.

The Chamber also plans to host high-level investment forums in Shanghai. These events will bring together African and Chinese leaders, government officials, and business executives to explore opportunities and forge lasting partnerships. The office will serve as a base for meetings, workshops, and knowledge exchange aimed at driving cross-border energy progress.

“Africa and China have a common goal: to eradicate energy poverty. It is time to walk the walk and bring Chinese expertise and capital to African projects.  Bieni Da, has a strong network in the public and private sector that will drive these engagements, giving Africa a chance to expand to a mutually beneficial relationship that is win-win with China. This office is a testament to making sure we leave our footprint,” added Ayuk.

The AEC’s expansion into China signals a new era of energy diplomacy, where both continents stand to gain through stronger collaboration, smarter financing, and sustainable energy development.

The models cover a wide range of applications. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) gas has launched its new MethaSense range of battery-powered methane detectors, comprising three models using cutting-edge NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensor technology for reliable and precise methane detection

MethaSense, designed for residential and commercial applications, is a compact, wireless natural gas detector with a range of 0-5 % volume, featuring accurate detection without false alarms, and immediate alerts through integrated audible and visual alarms. With progressive signal processing algorithms, MethaSense detects, alarms and monitors methane at concentrations as low as 10% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for enhanced safety. Optional wireless (LoRaWAN) connectivity enables real-time gas detection visualisation, providing clear, actionable insights.

MethaSense XP is engineered for industrial environments where robust performance and reliability are essential. MethaSense XP’s rugged design and reliable detection capabilities ensure worker safety and operational continuity, especially in areas where maintenance access is limited

It combines the same advanced NDIR sensor technology with enhanced durability and wireless communication options, including LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and Bluetooth. MethaSense XP again features audible and visual alarms, while its 10+ year battery autonomy and immunity to corrosion and saturation make the detector ideal for continuous safety monitoring in demanding conditions. With ATEX and IECEx certifications, MethaSense XP operates reliably in hazardous zones.

MethaSense Trace is a high-performance methane detector for LDAR (leak detection and repair) and utility applications, where accurate and autonomous methane monitoring is essential for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. A rugged build with IP67 ingress protection rating for outdoor use ensure uninterrupted performance in harsh conditions, reducing operational risks and maintenance costs.

With exceptional methane sensitivity, it provides 10× higher methane selectivity than previous-generation sensors, with a detection range that extends from 50 ppm to 100% volume for both low-emission environmental monitoring and high-concentration safety thresholds.

The detector delivers 24/7 methane emission monitoring, detection and quantification across large-scale industrial sites. By combining real-time sensing, cloud-based analytics and automated reporting, MethaSense Trace enables operators to detect, localise and measure methane emissions with precision. This not only helps reduce emissions but also ensures full compliance with new methane regulations.

“NDIR technology, as utilised by all three detectors in our new MethaSense series, offers high selectivity, fast response times and long-term reliability,” explained Régis Prevost, product line manager, Teledyne GFD. “Users benefit from natural gas detectors that provide a low-maintenance, cost-effective, versatile solution for continuous methane monitoring, supported by key features that include up to 10+ years of battery life, zero recalibration requirements, wireless connectivity options, and suitability for smart infrastructure and safety-critical environments.”

Discovered and recoverable oil resources have increased by 5bn bbl over the past year, according to Rystad. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Discovered and recoverable oil resources have increased by 5bn bbl over the past year, according to Rystad Energy’s latest research, primarily as a result of potential in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta play and the Permian Delaware basin in Texas and New Mexico

Global recoverable oil resources, including estimates for undiscovered fields, stabilised at approximately 1.5 trillion barrels. However Rystad has revised down its projection of yet-to-find resources due to a steep decline in frontier exploration, unsuccessful shale developments outside the Americas and a doubling in offshore costs over the past five years. Rystad Energy expects new conventional oil projects to replace less than 30% of production over the next five years, while exploration would replace only around 10%.

The world’s proven oil reserves currently amount to only 14 years of production. If future global oil demand increases, as forecast by OPEC, supply will struggle to keep up with demand, even at attractive prices for producers. However, if the energy transition continues to make inroads, future oil demand is expected to fall, particularly with the greater electrification of transport vehicles, as seen in China.

“Full extraction of these oil resources will require oil prices stabilising at higher levels and further estimate increases will require new technologies to lower production costs. Over the next decades, the capital needed will likely not be available to meet continuously increasing oil demand, service prices could skyrocket, and there will likely be limited appetite for innovations to sustain such high emissions from oil,” said Per Magnus Nysveen, chief analyst at Rystad Energy.

If oil demand rises over the next few decades, global recoverable resources will not offer the supply needed to meet it, creating a constrained economic environment that would not be able to compete with less capital-intensive energy sources. As a result, Rystad Energy does not expect oil demand to continue to grow steeply towards 2050.

“In a world with flat or growing demand after 2030, another oil super-cycle would be needed. This scenario would require a substantial increase in frontier exploration and drilling success as well as accelerated deployment of secondary recovery and full-scale development of non-core shale plays in North America and globally,” said Artem Abramov, deputy head of Analysis at Rystad Energy .