The rapid advances in shale gas supply have been driven by the success of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology in unlocking natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons trapped in shale deposits. US shale gas production tripled between 2007 and 2010. US Energy Department data show that shale gas helped the nation meet 83% of its energy needs in the first eight months of 2012 - the highest annual level since 1991. It is possible that the US could achieve energy independence within ten years and the International Energy Association estimates that shale gas will constitute 32% of global gas production by 2035.
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