Shales

On-shore drilling rig (icon)

We have substantial acreage positions in basins in North America and Argentina, and have shifted focus to accelerate select liquids development in the Permian Basin in the USA and Fox Creek (Duvernay) in Canada. We continue to improve our cost effectiveness, drilling times and well quality, resulting in reduced economic break-even points in geological sweet spots. We are on track to create a significant, sustainable growth business for Shell from around 2020.

Shell’s North America shales acreage centres on liquids-rich shales in the Delaware Permian Basin in West Texas and the Duvernay and Montney plays in Alberta, Canada. Key holdings of natural gas resources include positions in the Marcellus and Utica shales in Pennsylvania, Haynesville in Louisiana, and a strong shales footprint in Western Canada. We also hold a position in liquids-rich shale in the Vaca Muerta of Argentina, which we intend to grow.

Americas shales

Americas shales – Map showing Dry gas and Liquids rich assets in North America and South America (world map)