Problems and prospects of oil shale production in the U.S.

Abstract

Some US and international analysts replicate US Energy Information Administration’s bright outlook for US inevitable penetration into natural gas markets since its shale gas production have been steadily growing. However, the industry itself is confronted with critical challenges stemming from government regulation deficiencies. Any changes could result in either drop in shale production or hardly predictable environmental spillover. Nevertheless, US is unlikely to fulfill its ambitious plans to scale up LNG exports in this decade while ambiguity with domestic shale gas policies persists.