China has made disappointing progress exploiting its massive unconventional gas resources. The government is encouraging the development of domestic shale gas and coalbed methane (CBM) as part of a drive to increase gas use and help cut pollution while bolstering security of supply (WGI Oct.26' 16). But production targets for both have been consistently undershot. CBM output totaled 1.5 billion cubic meters (145 million cubic feet per day) in 2010, versus a government target of 5 Bem. It reached 4.4 Bem last year; the target was 16 Bem. The National Energy Administration (NEA) recently slashed the target for 2020 to 10 Bem from the 20 Bem it set in January, but mis could again prove elusive.
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