5. United States: shale gas revolution

The increase in energy needs around 2005 is not confined to emerging countries: demand is also rising sharply in the United States (economic growth, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan).

Consumption of natural gas is also rising, and the United States is by far the world's biggest consumer. Until 2005, however, production was also on the rise and, with the help of imports from Canada, was able to meet demand, but a collapse in production was expected. Nearly twenty liquefied natural gas regasification terminals are planned to cope with the shortfall.

It was at this point that the production of unconventional gas began, mainly shale gas, which is produced – like shale oil will be – using hydraulic fracturing. This is a veritable technical revolution, based on the combination of two well-known technologies - horizontal drilling and fracturing - to...