The shale gas revolution in the United States has radically changed the country’s energy outlook and can provide for energy independence, new jobs and a manufacturing renaissance. However, none of this will occur until the country addresses the significant pipeline infrastructure gap that exists, according to a new report from global law firm White & Case LLP.
“The United States has a golden opportunity to become a powerhouse in global energy markets, to truly achieve full energy independence and to use natural gas to power our economy,” said White & Case partner Daniel Hagan. “But that path is far from assured without a major expansion of the long-distance pipeline network.”
The report examines why the US currently lacks the capacity to transport all its available oil and gas to users and looks at the reasons why investors have been slow to support the development of additional pipeline capacity.
The report explores four approaches that could hasten development of critical infrastructure, including:
In addition, the report offers two case studies. The first case study examines how the Rockies Express Pipeline is facing difficulties inherent in repurposing existing infrastructure to take advantage of new US shale gas resources and what the company is doing to overcome those difficulties. The second case study reviews how North Dakota is searching for solutions to wasteful gas flaring, a bi-product of shale gas.