New frontiers for US energy

Propelled by technological advancement, market forces and shifting political winds, change is coming fast to every corner of America’s energy business

Start with the tight oil industry. Shale is still standing after its war with Opec, and an uptick in the oil price has brought renewed optimism. Armed with new knowledge about how to produce from shale plays at ever cheaper prices, executives are again looking for growth opportunities. As they survey the landscape, most are beating a path to the Permian, where deal making has been on the rise. The domestic gas industry is also seeing its fortunes improved. After a period of record low prices brought on by a severe storage glut, strong demand is outpacing falling supply, which has fueled higher prices. The industry's long-term fundamentals also appear strong; gas is on the ascendancy, underpi