Development of Shale Gas in Brazil: A Business-Oriented Analysis

Brazil figures amongst the top 10 countries with greatest technically recoverable shale gas resources around the globe. However, shale gas business has not yet taken off. This paper aims to provide a business-oriented analysis on the drivers and opportunities for developing shale gas in the country. Methodology consists of going through critical non-technical factors (above the surface issues) of each one of the Brazilian basins with technically recoverable shale gas resources. Results show that from a business perspective the potential development of unconventionals in Brazil over the next decade or so will most likely be linked with the production declining faced in some conventional gas fields, and hence, a mechanism to extend asset life cycle and sustain existing jobs. Keywords: Brazil; Oil and gas exploration; Unconventional resources; Unconventional gas; Shale gas; Brazilian sedimentary basins; Market development. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-2-04 Publication date: January 31st 202