WellDog Pty Ltd. has collaborated with Shell International Exploration & Production during the past 18 months to develop a new technical service for locating natural gas and natural gas liquids in shale formations, according to a news release.

This announcement follows a laboratory and field development program undertaken by the two companies, leveraging WellDog's patented downhole Raman spectroscopy technology and Shell's geochemical and petrophysical experience in shale gas evaluation, the release said.

The new service is directed at identifying locations where natural gas and natural gas liquids occur in shale formations, allowing producers to focus development efforts, reduce drilling costs, optimize production and reduce the number of hydraulic fracturing stages and associated water usage, according to the release.

Shell is now leading beta trials of the technical service that is being developed from the program.