14 May 2013
The case for caution on sustainability of US shale oil
Analysts argue that while US unconventional crude output is surging, the industry needs to take a closer look at the sector's sustainability
The rise of tight oil in the US has been remarkable, but is it sustainable? Analysts took on that question this week at Platts' Crude Oil Summit, with many arguing that the sector still faces a number of challenges that could yet derail the tight oil boom. Surging production from shale plays such as North Dakota's Bakken and Texas' Eagle Ford will make the US the world's largest liquid fuel producer this year when biofuels and natural gas liquids are taken into account, Christof Rühl, BP's chief economist, said at the conference. US oil production was 7.17 million barrels a day (b/d) in February this year, the highest level since the early 1990s. Around 2 million b/d of that was produced fr
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
