Developing and using shale gas could alleviate fossil fuel shortfalls in China, enhance that nation's energy security, and contribute to economic and social development. Though the government has plans to utilize its buried shale resources, significant barriers to that plan remain. Thanks to sustained and rapid development of China's economy, demand for natural gas has been increasing. From 2000 to 2010, China's demand for natural gas increased from 24.7 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 107.2 bcm; the average growth rate was about 16%. Furthermore, by 2009, natural gas demand exceeded supply in the Chinese market. China's conventional natural gas production exceeded 100 bcm for the first time and reached 102 bcm in 2011, but the growth rate of yields was only 8.45% - lower than the average of 13.07% in the past decade. Additionally, China's dependence upon traditional energy imports is increasing yearly. Dependence upon foreign oil reached 53.8% in 2011, and net imports of coal were about 146 million tons in 2010, with year-on-year growth of more than 41%. Natural gas imports have been steadily increasing (Figure 1) as Chinese natural gas demand has been growing faster than that of coal and petroleum.
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