Slate - a source of unconventional gas
Shale gas - this term is becoming increasingly popular in the media. Unfortunately, its increasing popularity develops numerous misunderstandings, simplifications or falsifying basic terms. The media use the term "shale gas" disregarding the fact that it is only an element of a more complex assembly - unconventional gas reserves. It is worthwhile organizing that which the media write about on the first pages of the newspapers, often very vaguely.
Unconventional gas is a type of natural gas. Gas reserves are classified as conventional if they are found in the honeycombed rock layers (often in limestone or sandstone) which allow smooth gas flow through openings or by performing shallow drills. Unconventional resources are usually found in rocks with low permeability which makes them difficult to extract. This is mainly due to the special technologies that need to be applied in order to secure the borehole and increase bore flow. Reserves of this type of gas are usually enormous - much richer than traditional but also much more expensive and requiring significant expenses for determining where the resources are and whether their extraction will be profitable.
Roughly speaking: Shale gas is a natural gas which is located much deeper than conventional gas.