Comparison of water stress regarding potential shale energy development in China and the US

Unconventional shale resources are important options in mitigating intensified energy challenges. Little is known regarding the national-scale water stress induced by the demand-and-supply contradiction during shale development. We here propose a new life-cycle-based model for estimating water intensities of single shale wells and use them as proxies to calculate the water stress facing China and the US. In China, most shale provinces have low water stress (< 1); Xinjiang has the highest one (similar to 10) so that either long-distance water diversion or groundwater extraction from deep aquifers would be required. The water stress facing the US is not as optimistic as China due to generally lower water availability; Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have the highest water stress (between 10 and 25 under high intensity). We also find that policy combinations can effectively mitigate the water stress and suggest that deep cooperation be desired among those shale -rich countries.

Automated summary

Unconventional shale resources play a crucial role in addressing energy challenges. However, the water stress caused by shale development at a national scale is not well understood. A new model based on the life cycle is proposed to estimate water intensities of individual shale wells, and China and the US are used as case studies. It is found that China has lower water stress overall, but the province of Xinjiang faces the highest water stress, requiring long-distance water diversion or deep aquifer extraction. In the US, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have the highest water stress due to limited water availability.