A study conducted by EnCana demonstrates that the potential gas in the valley of the St. Lawrence is worth at least $ 280 billion. We understand a little better the craze of recent major players in the oil industry for Quebec. A study by the giant EnCana demonstrates that the potential gas in the valley of the St. Lawrence is worth at least $ 280 billion. In a study released a few months ago in Calgary before the people in the industry, the Alberta oil believed that the potential gas reserves Lowlands of St. Lawrence, located between Quebec City and Montreal, could vary between 35 and 163 trillion cubic feet (TCF). According to EnCana, the natural gas would be mainly concentrated in Quebec in the geological formation of the Utica shales, which are in Quebec on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Montreal, to the south of the United States. In North America, the potential of the Lowlands is not the most impressive. In the states of Ohio and Texas, pools (already in operation) replete more natural gas, the study reveals EnCana. In market value, 1000 cubic feet of natural gas now costs $ 8. A TCF equivalent to 1000 billion cubic feet. If a TCF worth $ 8 billion, 35 TCF worth $ 280 billion. Maximum value of natural gas Lowlands could amount to more than $ 1000 billion. "It's a huge gas potential, but it is necessary to search," says Dave Pepin cautiously of the exploration company Junex (JNX), Quebec, which owns the rights to one million acres located in the Lowlands. In the United States, several major players in the industry are very active in the geological structure of the Utica, where some companies have upgraded the unique production techniques (injecting water and sand) from the gas shales . Ceux-ci émanent notamment de matière organique non transformée contenue dans des couches sédimentaires se trouvant à des profondeurs de 800 à 1000 mètres. This new form of gas extraction unconventional was nevertheless an explosion at our neighbours to the south, where more than 6000 wells are currently in operation. The unconventional gas fuelling today, 25% of natural gas consumption in the United States. In a few years, that proportion could rise to 50%, say some analysts. At the Department of Natural Resources, there has been significant interest to the gas exploration in Quebec. Last year, more than 7.5 million hectares of land were under exploration licenses. It is 15 times more there 10 years. One last few months, Junex is the case with American partner, Forest Oil, Denver, to evaluate the potential of gas shales of Utica in Quebec. Junex and Forest Oil had an agreement spanning 143000 acres. Before the holidays, Forest Oil has conducted the first in Quebec fracturing of gas shales of Utica on a property Junex in Bécancour. "The preliminary data that we have are encouraging," says Dave Pepin. Forest Oil should share in the coming months if it grows more thoroughly its research in Quebec. The American company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and whose market capitalization exceeded US $ 2 billion, has an agreement to conduct research of US $ 6 million by November. If it moves forward, Forest Oil holds a 100% interest in four blocks helped Junex. Junex keep allows a gross royalty of 15% on production. Meanwhile, Forest Oil also has agreements with the company Gastem for conducting tests fracturing from wells located in Saint-François-du-Lac and St. Louis-du-Richelieu. Talisman also Apart Forest Oil, the oil giant Talisman is also interested in the potential of gas Lowlands of St. Lawrence. Talisman has recently carried out exploration work in the geological formation Trenton-Black River in partnership with the company Questerre on land located in Gentilly, Pierreville and Saint-François-du-Lac. Talisman believes that the basement Quebec strange shares similarities with that of the State of New York, where the company Alberta has been successful in recent years. In 2004, a subsidiary of Talisman, Fortuna Energy, discovered in northern New York state a reservoir capable of producing 38 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Fortuna is recognised in the gas industry to be put into practice a new drilling technology to a plane.