Regardless of whether you are part of the energy industry or not, shale booms are becoming a nationwide topic of interest. With the recent spike in energy industry careers, many United States citizens find themselves wondering, “Where is the next big shale boom?” To truly understand where these booms are going, it is important to first understand their origins and paths.
One of the first big shale booms in the country can be traced back as early as the 1950s in North Dakota when oil was discovered in the state. This boom continued through the 1970s and peaked in 1984 when monthly oil production hit 4.6- million barrels. After its peak, oil development tapered off in the state until the early 21st century when North Dakota’s technological refinements led to the Bakken boom in Mountrail County. As oil recovery techniques become increasingly more sophisticated, it is now estimated that the Bakken may hold as much as 503- billion barrels of oil.
While North Dakota’s boom was thought to be a bust for several decades between its two booming periods, other shales, like Pennsylvania’s Marcellus, are producing even more oil than initially projected. In the first half of 2013, the Marcellus Shale broke records by producing 1.4- trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This production proved to be more than double what was reported the previous year and more than three times 2011’s production during its first six months.
Heading farther South in the country, the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas has proven to be one of the most remarkable energy success stories in United States history. Since its first successful well in October of 2008, the Eagle Ford Shale has been the number one player in the Nation’s shale revolution, something that is only expected to continue throughout the upcoming years. In fact, many projections indicate that the Eagle Ford Shale will soon surpass North Dakota’s Bakken Shale and become the largest oil producing shale in the 48 contiguous states.
As shale booms continue to appear and prosper throughout the United States, it is only natural for job seekers and energy professionals alike to want to stay in the know of industry trends. The best way for companies and professionals to stay on top of the next boom, attract top energy industry talent, and find great energy jobs when the next boom hits is to partner with a niche energy staffing firm. FootBridge Energy has fostered a culture of success with its clients for more than a decade and remains a competitive resource for hiring and placing talented candidates with some of the world’s most recognized energy companies. To stay on top of the next big shale boom, contact the energy staffing experts at FootBridge Energy today!