Tight/shale oil and gas are hydrocarbons trapped in sandstone, carbonate and shale formations which have very low permeability. In the past, development activities in tight and shale plays were not considered due to lack of drilling technology and uneconomical production but, commercial development and production has been recently possible thanks to horizontal drilling technology and hydraulic fracturing method.

KNOC has been conducting various R&D projects and expanded its business to tight/shale oil and gas business right after the Eagle Ford joint venture with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2010. 3-phased shale gas technology enhancement project for establishment of technical competency in reservoir characterization, well completion and hydraulic fracturing and production operation optimization has been initiated since 2013 and the 4-year R&D project owned by Korea government has been also carried on.