Oil giants have the cash and the clout to develop shale resources

Energy | Du Juan

The national oil companies, which dominate the industry in China, will benefit the country's shale gas development over the longer term as the world's second-largest economy seeks to reduce its dependence on imports, an energy expert said.

Melissa Stark, managing director of consultancy Accenture Plc's new energy business, said that several factors - including geology, land access, technology and talent - must be considered when assessing the viability of unconventional energy projects.