Shale gas equipment test successful

China successfully tested the first whole set of shale gas fracturing equipment which can operate in harsh geographic conditions.

The equipment, tested on Friday, provides the ability to extract the resource from difficult geographic conditions in China, according to Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co Ltd, the equipment's manufacturer and service provider for the oil and gas industry in Yantai, Shandong province.

"The equipment can be used in rugged areas for long operational periods and can deal with a heavy workload," said Cui Rizhe, director of the technology center with Jereh.

Cui said by employing the equipment, shale gas developers can cut labor costs, by 40 percent, diesel consumption by 50 percent and water use by 60 percent.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, China has the largest known shale gas reserves of 36 trillion cubic meters.

However, much of it is located in rugged terrain.

Jereh is the only Chinese shale gas equipment supplier for North America and has been exporting the fracturing equipment to the US since 2011.