Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources

Abstract

According to some energy analysts, natural gas is “poised to enter a golden age” as a result of the availability and development of large volumes of new sources of unconventional natural gas, including coal bed methane, tight gas, and shale gas. Historically, natural gas production from unconventional reserves has been limited. In 2010, unconventional natural gas accounted for about 14 percent of total global natural gas production. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2013 annual production from unconventional sources will triple and will represent about one-third of all natural gas production (IEA 2012). While North America, especially the United States and Canada, dominated unconventional gas production in 2010, growth in unconventional gas production is expected widely around the world (IEA 2012). China, in particular, is projected to experience major increases in production, becoming the second-largest producer after the United States. While shale gas accounts for the vast majority of growth in natural gas production, some growth is also projected for tight gas.