American Technology Will Drive Natural Gas Production

     Not only does the United States have an abundant supply of natural gas, enough for both domestic consumption and export, but according to a new study from Deloitte LLP, is also well positioned to dominate the world market because of superior extraction techniques and refining infrastructure.  Even other countries that are big producers do not have the technological expertise or processing facilities in place to compete with the U.S.

     Complicating foreign exploration and production is their lack of knowledge about the characteristics of their particular oil-and-gas-rich shale deposits.  Much more is known about U.S. deposits, and our extraction techniques and governmental regulation, although far from perfect, are far superior to that of other energy rivals.  Another problem for the foreign competition is the lack of an entrepreneurial culture, unique to the U.S., which has helped overcome initial governmental skepticism about the safety of  fracking. As a result, oil and gas companies in the U.S. are poised to even more aggresively pursue domestic deposits.

     Going forward, it also appears that a profitable niche exists for energy companies not only to increase their own domestic production, but also to partner with foreign concerns so they might more effectively tap their  underdeveloped natural gas resources