中国页岩气勘探开发已开展了大量露头地质调研、前期研究与勘探开发先导试验等工作，尤其是在中国南方海相页岩气区，完钻了页岩气井40余口，获气10余口，多口井经压裂初期日产量超过了1万m³。实践表明，中国页岩气资源发展前景较好，但也具有明显的特殊性，许多地质与开发难题亟待解决，随着页岩气勘探开发理论与关键技术的突破、经济条件的改善和国家政策的支持，未来中国页岩气资源发展前景广阔。

A lot of outcrop geological survey works, basic research and pilot of exploration and development of shale gas were undertaken in China. Especially in the marine black shale of the South, more than 40 wells were drilled and more than 10 wells had got shale gas. The initial production of some wells has reached more than 1×104 m³/d. It was showed that the prospect of shale gas was better in China. Because of the obvious particularity in geologic settings, many geological and development problems have to be solved . With the breakthrough of the theories and key technologies in exploration and development of shale gas, improvement of economic conditions, and the support of national policy, the exploration prospect of shale gas is better in China.