Recent estimates suggest that shale gas alone could provide over a third of total UK consumption by 2020, reducing dependency on imported gas up to 27% by 2035.

With CSG reserves potentially offering twice the recoverable reserves calculated for shale gas, these projections support the view that unconventional hydrocarbons should play a key role in the UK’s energy future.

As the shift becomes a reality, the oil and gas industry is presented with an array of challenges – be they technical, political, logistical, environmental or “just perceived”.

Lawrence Till, technical sales director and co-founder of downhole tool manufacturer Nemein, will examine these challenges and the opportunities they bring at a SPE Aberdeen forum on November 19.

He will consider the position of the UK unconventional hydrocarbon market, with particular focus on the future potential.

Drawing upon examples from other geological markets - most notably North America’s “shale gas revolution” – the lecture will explore the potential ramifications and opportunities of these challenges.

“Unconventional hydrocarbons could provide significant long-term local energy options for the UK as North Sea production declines,” Till said ahead of his lecture.

“The extraction of unconventional hydrocarbons brings with it a range challenges. This leaves considerable market space for innovation and education, an environment best created by SMEs [small to medium enterprises] working in conjunction with larger political and corporate organisations.”