Shreveport Shale

The tragic oil spill in the Gulf Coast which has devastated coastal Louisiana’s wildlife preserves and many residents’ livelihoods places a new found importance the developments taking place further inland in the state. The natural gas discovery and subsequent production in the Haynesville Shale region is as uplifting for members of the Louisiana community as the oil spill is heart wrenching for others. Shale gas and its potential to provide partial independence from crude oil has many scientists and policy makers optimistic that its development and increased production can help to prevent accidents like the oil spill in the future. Louisiana is now in a unique position, saddled with the mess resulting in one form of energy harvesting but blessed with the abundant resources of another cleaner replacement. On a global scale, the state can now serve as a microcosm for the world’s developing energy situation, with the trauma of a worst case oil scenario ravaging its southern beaches and the booming natural gas market showing signs of wealth and prosperity along its northwest border.The oil spill has only furthered an already bitter relationship between everyday Americans and the nation’s dependence on oil. Greatly fueling, no pun intended, this negative image is not only the environmental footprint oil production and use leaves, but the weak position the United States must take towards the oil rich Middle East nations, many of whom we do not see eye to eye with on major social and political issues. Heavy oil dependence has been one of our nation’s greatest flaws not only in both environmental and foreign policy. Natural gas on the other hand is both clean and domestically available, a seemingly perfect fix for both issues if successfully produced and implemented to the same degree as current oil use. As research and advancement in shale gas production reaches new heights, it should mean brighter days ahead for both Louisiana and the country as a whole.