The U.S. Geological Survey said its review of the Barnett shale basin in north-central Texas led it to double the estimated reserve potential. “We decided to reassess the Barnett Shale following the successful introduction of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, setting the stage for the current shale gas boom,” USGS researcher Kristen Marra said in a statement. The USGS estimates the shale basin holds 53 trillion cubic feet of shale natural gas, 172 million barrels of shale oil and 176 million barrels of natural gas liquids. The estimate, which is double the previous level forecast in 2003, is for undiscovered, technically recoverable resources. The USGS said the increase in reserve potential was largely a reflection of the industry’s […]