Geological features of the Point Pleasant Shale make it a standout and possibly put it among the top domestic producers.

The lure of shale gas is generating interest around the globe with Saudi Arabia being one of the latest countries to focus on defining its unconventional gas resources.

Twenty-five blocks are selected by New Zealand in a bidding round that covers onshore and offshore for both North Island and South Island, including coal-seam gas acreage.

Data from 500 wells was analyzed by the USGS to map the shale potential geologically across the North Slope of Alaska.