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“This is a positive new development and demonstrates that natural gas will be a key component of supply to meet future demand,” said the Independent Petroleum Association of America President and CEO Barry Russell. “The findings also show that natural gas can play a significant role in a long term compliance strategy to address global climate change.”

Though exploration costs are increasing, non-conventional resources – such as shale gas, tight sands, and coal bed – are booming around the country, and new technologies are producing impressive volumes of natural gas from fields that were considered mature and uneconomic. These cutting edge technologies allow U.S. independent producers to ensure efficient operations while mitigating environmental impacts from exploration and production activities. As our nation searches for more secure energy supplies, America’s natural gas shale resources attract more attention every day.  American natural gas production increased 6.4 percent during 2007 as a direct result of independent producer development.

Today, clean burning natural gas meets at least 25 percent of America’s energy needs, is used to heat about half of U.S. homes and fuels 20 percent of U.S. power needs. It is also used as a feedstock for numerous products. Natural gas is an efficient, low carbon fuel and a “homegrown” product with more than 80 percent of America’s natural gas needs produced in the United States.

According to the new information by Navigant, which takes into consideration the new unconventional resources of natural gas at play, there is at least 118 years of undiscovered, yet recoverable resources at 2007 production levels.

Russell continued, "The United States has the capability and the most stringent regulations in place for the safest, most environmentally friendly production on the planet. As further proof surfaces on the tremendous supply resources beneath our land and beneath our oceans, it is time for policymakers to take the lead and embrace the power and potential of American natural gas."