It can be. It is found in a rock type called shale and is produced in the shale form the original bio mater included in the deposition of the shale. If a unit of shale lithology is to be found on the continental shelf strata then it is likely that that shale will contain shale gas and it will be under the sea.
No. Shale is not fuel in and of itself. However, some shale deposits have oil or natural gas trapped in pore spaces. This can be processed into fuel.
shale
Natural gas extracted from shale rock could become a significant global energy source.
fracking
Natural Gas, Coal and Oil Shale.
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Shale is a sedimentary rock that is generally formed as particles of sediment settle out in calm water. Shale can be formed in shallow inland waters or deep ocean basins. Shale rock is generally high in organic content. Once covered up by other sediments and buried over millions of years, heat and pressure begin to work on these sediments and oil and gas are formed. Some of the oil and gas may begin to migrate upwards, to layers of sandstone and porous limestone where it becomes trapped. These are considered conventional oil and gas reservoirs and shale is often the "source rock" or original source of the hydrocarbons. Natural gas and oil that occur in shale are called "unconventional". Now with new horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods it is possible to extract that oil and gas. "Unconventional" gas is quickly becoming the new norm. We have over 100 years worth (and growing) of natural gas supply in North America. In a nutshell, shale gas is standard natural gas buried much deeper and complex to extract.
Shale underneath, to provide the organic material, then the oil and gas are usually found within sandstone. Above you will find shale again, or possibly caly or slate
Natural gas, oil shale, coal, land and water.
Coal, natural gas, oil shale,
Natural gas, oil shale, coal, land and water.