中国页岩油储量巨大，为什么不大力开采，抑制油价？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of shale oil production in the United States, highlighting its role in stabilizing oil prices and reducing dependence on Middle Eastern oil, while contrasting it with China's challenges in shale oil extraction. Group 1: Shale Oil Production in the U.S. - After two oil crises, the U.S. decided to significantly increase shale oil production to stabilize oil prices and became a major global shale oil exporter [1][5] - U.S. shale oil production reached 6.8 million barrels per day in 2008 and is projected to reach 22.71 million barrels per day in 2024, allowing the U.S. to become one of the largest oil exporters globally, supplying over 10% of the world's oil [7] - The U.S. has successfully reduced its reliance on Middle Eastern oil, maintaining a stable supply even amidst regional conflicts [7][21] Group 2: Comparison with China's Shale Oil Production - China has significant shale oil reserves, estimated at 4.393 billion tons, ranking third globally, yet it continues to import large quantities of oil [10] - The depth of shale layers in China generally exceeds 3,000 meters, making extraction more challenging compared to the U.S., where shale layers are typically between 800 to 2,500 meters deep [12] - Water scarcity is a critical issue for shale oil extraction in China, particularly in regions like the Junggar Basin, where annual rainfall is below 200 mm, complicating the hydraulic fracturing process [14][16] Group 3: Economic Considerations - The cost of extracting shale oil in China is significantly higher, ranging from $80 to $100 per barrel, compared to $40 to $60 per barrel in the U.S., making it less economically viable [18][21] - The importance of oil extends beyond fuel, as it is a key raw material for various industrial products, emphasizing the need for strategic oil imports to safeguard domestic resources for future use [23][25][27]