China boosted its recoverable shale gas reserves more than fivefold last year as the country missed its production target for the fuel. Recoverable shale gas reserves, or those that can be commercially produced, rose 109 billion cubic meters last year, said Yu Haifeng, director at the department of mineral resources in the Ministry of Land and Resources, according to a transcript of a briefing Wednesday. That increases the country’s total shale gas reserves to 130 billion cubic meters. “Oil and gas reserves maintained a high level of growth, with shale gas reserves rose significantly,” Yu said. “The ministry spared no efforts in searching for new resources in 2015” as it followed guidance laid out by the State Council, the country’s highest policy making body, he said. Premier Li Keqiang reiterated last month China’s goal of boosting production and use of natural gas as a substitute for coal. While conventional […]