Shale oil and shale gas are being heralded these days as the keys to a new era in fossil fuel production. Some are even looking to shale production to bring about American energy independence. As of March 2014, the once natgas-strapped US had more than 100 years’ worth of natural gas supply, and domestic crude oil production had grown by 3 million barrels since 2008. And even other countries are likely to get in on the action: Energy consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd. estimates that as many as 400 shale wells could be drilled outside of US borders this year.
