Countermeasures of Solid Waste Management in Shale Gas Exploration and Development

Shale gas development offers a guarantee for energy supply but also brings environmental impacts. The particularity of shale gas development makes the use of oil-based mud indispensable. In this study, following the release of the Environmental Protection Act (2015) and the National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes (2016), the adjustments and new requirements for the solid waste in the previous edition was compared and the countermeasures of solid waste treatment was proposed. Following the implementation of the new standard and category, the related enterprises need to strengthen solid waste classification and source control. A focus on the technologies regarding harmless disposal and recycling is also required. Furthermore, a joint solid waste treatment plant could further ease the demand for solid waste treatment produced during shale gas development.