RIL Reliance Industries and Shale Gas

Shale gas is natural gas produced from shale. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States over the past decade, and interest has spread to potential gas shales in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. One analyst expects shale gas to supply as much as half the natural gas production in North America by 2020 [Source:Wikipedia.]


Illustration of Shale Gas


It's another fossil fuel boom in the making, although its cleaner-burning than coal, gas from shale still poses a severe threat to environmental security. Methods used for drilling that frees the gas requires the use of toxic chemicals that many fear could contaminate underground sources of drinking water that supply millions of people.



Reliance Industries believes that shale gas offers an exciting opportunity and that new drilling techniques are transforming the U.S. natural gas industry. Furthermore, the company estimates shale plays to contain in excess of 650 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.


Shale gas is emerging as a potential investment strategy, chiefly on the anticipated upsurge in demand for natural gas.


Natural gas is a clean energy source and is likely to replace coal.


Reliance has done 3 shale gas deals in 3 months.


20% stake in Carrizo's

40% stake in Atlas Energy's

45% stake in Eagle Ford Shale




Higher price of Shale gas is also attracting lot of interest and investment.



Shale gas investment will add profitability after 4-5 years but its an interesting space to watch out for in the coming years.