The North American revolution in unconventional natural gas ranks as the most significant energy innovation so far this century, and because of its scale, requires a reassessment of expectations for energy development. It has the potential, at least, of a paradigm shift in the fueling of North America’s energy future.

This report, Fueling North America's Energy Future, seeks to address the impact of the “shale gale” on the energy system. It aims to provide a framework for understanding the potential impact of the unconventional gas revolution, a common basis for dialogue on the issues raised by it, and a context for fitting the changed outlook for natural gas into the discussion about power generation choices and reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs).

The unconventional revolution shifts natural gas from a constrained energy resource to an abundant one. In so doing it raises many questions. This study addresses six sets of questions that are key to the energy future:

• How large is the gas resource base opened up by the shale gas revolution, and what are the financial costs and the footprint of its development?
• What factors could limit the realization of the potential of unconventional natural gas?
• What are the environmental issues associated with its development?
• Does this greater abundance of natural gas mean that gas prices are now on a lower and more stable trend, or is this the bottom of a cycle?
• What are the growth markets for natural gas, and in particular, what are the prospects in transportation?
• What are the growth prospects in electric power? Under what constraints—technical, economic, and political—do electric power providers operate, and how might the changed fuel supply picture affect investment decisions that utilities make and regulators approve?
• How significant a role can natural gas play in achieving reductions in GHG emissions along with such other options as nuclear energy, renewable energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

Please see the chapters to the right to access the specific content of the report. Additionally, to review some of IHS CERA's background research into these topics, please review the reports located under the "Additional Research" tab above.

If you have questions about the study, the workshops, or the content of this page, please contact Ken Downey at +1 617 866 5138 or ken.downey@ihscera.com.