The Strategic Importance of Shale Gas (Issue Paper, Volume 16-11, September 2011)
Abstract
Fuel powers the industrial production that strengthens the economy and provides the means to project national power. Reliable sources of energy are imperative to the security of the United States. Aside from coal, conventional natural gas deposits have been the most practical and easiest to recover. Approximately 24% of the United States energy is supplied by natural gas. Broken down by sector, it is a major fuel source for a wide range of industries to include paper, metals, chemicals, and food processing. In addition to its industrial uses, natural gas is used to heat, cool, and cook in the residential and commercial sectors of the United States. Due to its cleaner-burning properties, economic availability, and equivalent power to quantity ratio, it has become a favored alternative. In terms of energy output, natural gas provides one and one-third times as much energy as gasoline, which is very important in considering alternative fuel sources. However, natural gas supply has been overtaken by the demand of the U.S. economy. The United States should recognize the geopolitical importance of energy production in a world characterized by an imbalance of energy supply and demand. The domestic production of shale gas reduces U.S. import supply vulnerabilities and creates opportunities for environmental diplomacy and low-cost foreign assistance. That said, allowing uncontrolled exploitation of this resource without proper knowledge or supervision could make the process unsustainable and threaten the availability of the most precious human security resource of all, water. A national level review of the international and domestic implications of shale gas development and technology seems a necessary first step in understanding the potential for this resource to favorably impact U.S. national security for this and future generations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA594674
Entities
People
- Nathaniel Freeland
Organizations
- United States Army War College