This research considered the content of trace elements (TE), including potentially toxic elements (PTE) in shale plays and deposits in various regions of the world. Their comparative analysis was carried out and the highest concentrations of PTE in the shales of some regions were revealed. The author notes that the destruction of organometallic compounds occurs during the development of shale hydrocarbon (HC) using horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing – injecting large volumes of chemicals while increasing the temperature. During such destruction processes, PTE can escape into the environment: into groundwater, soil layers, and other objects of economic use, and also deteriorate well equipment. In connection with the noted environmental hazards present during the development of shale HC, this paper proposes to monitor the content of TE in both shale rocks as well as in extracted shale oil in order to mitigate the risks of their release into the environment. In addition, developers and scientists should consider the losses of industrially significant volumes of valuable metals that occur due to the lack of cost-effective technologies for their capture and extraction from naphthides.
