"Shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks that can be rich sources of petroleum and natural gas. The combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has allowed access to large volumes of shale gas that were previously uneconomical to produce."

"The supply of natural gas is not as dependent on foreign producers as is the supply of crude oil, and the delivery system is less subject to interruption."

"The availability of large quantities of shale gas should enable the United States to consume a predominantly domestic supply of gas for many years and produce more natural gas then it consumes."

"Current technology allows shale gas to be recovered from shale formations with a high organic content."

"Modern exploration and gas production technology, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, has enabled the extraction of shale gas in similar formations in other states."

"Hydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking or fracking, is a process used to stimulate production of natural gas from shale or other impermeable rock formations."

"The process involves drilling a well into rock that contains natural gas; injecting fluids under pressure to fracture the rock; and extracting the natural gas from the fractures that are created."

"While development of this resource could be an economic benefit to North Carolina, other states have found that shale gas production also has impacts that need to be carefully managed."

"The possible environmental impacts of shale gas exploration include the use of high volumes of water during drilling; potential contamination of groundwater aquifers by chemicals, water or wastewater during drilling or hydraulic fracturing of the shale layers; clearing of access roads and the drilling area; and storage of chemicals used in the process."