Technological revolution in the US energy sector, understanding the implications for the US dependency on fossil energy imports

Abstract

AbstractDuring various periods, the United States (the US) has adopted diverse policies for achieving self‐sufficiency in supplying its required energy. Technological revolution that has begun from a decade ago pursues the goal of energy independency. Using new technologies for developing its unconventional oil and gas resources, the United States has taken steps in line with the accomplishment of its objective of energy independence. Numerous articles have examined the various technical, economic and political aspects and consequences of the US technological revolution. This paper, in a new and innovative approach based on theoretical framework of neorealism, aims to show the implications of technological revolution in energy sector on the US dependency on fossil energy imports. Efforts will be made to find an answer to this main question as to what effects have the technological revolution occurrence in energy sector had on the US dependency on the fossil energy imports? In response, the study's main hypothesis is that, the US policy to exploit the unconventional oil and gas resources through technological revolution can be elaborated within the framework of the self‐sufficiency strategy for energy production in line with the reduction of the threats stemming from dependency on the oil and gas imports.