Technological innovations such as directional drilling and fracking have allowed companies to extract resources that were never before in reach.
This infographic puts the numbers in perspective. Consider this: in 2000, only 0.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas came from shale in the US. Last year, that number was 8.6 trillion cubic feet.
By the Numbers: Oil & Gas in the US
Infographic source: Forbes and Statista