China plans to produce 6.5 billion cubic meters of shale gas by 2015 and make breakthroughs in exploring relevant technologies in a bid to pursue greener energy, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said Friday.

The country aims to complete a thorough survey of its shale gas reserves, boost relevant technologies and conduct exploration in 19 key areas, the NEA said in a five-year plan stretching from 2011 to 2015.

Tapping shale gas resources is conducive for China to perfect its energy mix and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, said Zhang Yuqing, head of the Oil and Gas Department under the NEA.

The country also plans to localize the production of exploration equipment, formulate national standards and regulations, as well as establish comprehensive industry policies, the NEA said.

Shale gas, a clean and high-efficiency energy resource, is produced from shale through a complicated process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

China has 25.08 trillion cubic meters of exploitable shale gas reserves (excluding those in Qinghai and Tibet), the Ministry of Land and Resources said earlier this month, citing the wide distribution of the resources across the country.

Source:china.org