Drilling Directions

The discovery and exploitation of vast shale gas reserves has revolutionized the U.S. energy outlook and may soon do the same in parts of Eurasia and China. But the International Energy Agency (IEA), headquartered in Paris, believes the full potential of these reserves will be realized only if "golden rules" for drilling and operating wells are adopted. Otherwise, the industry is likely to incur the ire of citizens worried about environmental damage and could face crippling restrictions.