Shell aims to combine coal gasification with gas-to-diesel technology in an alliance with coal miner Anglo American.

FORBES: Shell Shocked

Or it can produce chemical feedstocks, at a lower cost than natural gas, as at the 15 gasification plants being built, using Shell technology, in China.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"Shell will apply its advanced technology, operational expertise and global experience in the project to jointly develop the shale gas resources with CNPC, " the Anglo-Dutch firm said in a release on its website on 20 March, without giving any further details.

BBC: Shell signs first shale gas production pact in China