The technology of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, by which shale and other tight rock formations at great depths are bombarded with water and chemicals, has released major new supplies of both natural gas and oil. America’s shale-gas industry grew by 45% annually from 2005 to 2010, and the share of shale gas in America’s overall gas production grew from 4% to 24%.
到底发生了什么？水平钻井和水压致裂技术——对页岩和其他深层低渗透岩石施以水轰和化学物质轰击——释放了大量新的天然气和原油供给。2005—2010年间，美国页岩气产业年增长率高达45%，页岩气占美国天然气总产量的比重从4%上升到了24%。