To meet future energy demand, conventional oil will need to be supplemented with unconventional hydrocarbon resources, comprised of the various forms of heavy oil and tight gas. It has been suggested that anticipated demand for cleaner energy will drive a trend toward a gas economy. Energy demand will grow by just over one-half by 2030. However, natural gas demand is expected to increase during the same period by more than two-thirds. Focusing R&D efforts to sustain long-term productivity and to maximize ultimate recoveries of unconventional gas resources - shale gas, tight gas and coalbed methane accumulations—is essential. Equally important is the environmental considerations during the exploitation of unconventional gas resources. Over 80% of world energy supply will continue to come from fossil fuel resources during the next 20 to 30 years. Therefore, global measures must be taken to address the impact they have on the environment, especially with regard to CO2 emissions and their effects on climate change.
The course will present different unconventional gas resources, including coal gas methane and tight gas reservoirs; key research needs for the effective exploitation of these resources; what have been achieved on these issues and how to move forward.

LECTURE PLAN:
• General Introduction
• Fundamental Issues for the Gas Exploitation
• Coalbed Methane Production: Key Research Needs and Achievements
• Tight Gas Reservoirs: Key Research Needs and Achievements
• Enhanced Gas Recovery: Key Research Needs and Achievements
• Research Examples for Gas Exploitaion