In return, Beijing gets a big stake in future oil production and a guaranteed oil and gas supply.

FORBES: In Pursuit Of Elephants

There are two main incentives for this, the first being the geological feature that natural gas is in finite supply and world production of it is thought might peak within the next few decades, and secondly that burning fossil carbon contributes to the atmospheric concentration of CO2, which scientific consensus accords will cause global warming and climate change.

FORBES: U.K. Joins Europe On Biogas 'Waste Into Energy' Strategy

Natural gas processing plants that separate natural gas liquids (NGL) from natural gas will be required to address the growing production levels and new supply regions.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Spiking natural gas prices and uncertainty about its supply have pushed U.S. coal production up 6.5% this year.

FORBES: The big dig

The production sector increased by 1.1%, primarily driven by growth in electricity and gas supply, and construction also grew by 0.6% following a period of contraction.

BBC: Scottish economy grows by 0.5%

On the supply side, natural gas rigs are rapidly moving from dry gas production in the Marcellus shales and other basins to wet gas and oil-rich shales.

FORBES: LNG Export Economics: A Look At Frontrunner Cheniere

But some analysts question whether Russia will have sufficient reserves to supply the gas pipeline, given the expected decline in its production over the next 20 years and the lack of investment in new fields since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

BBC: Struggle for Central Asian energy riches

According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Gulf offshore natural gas production accounts for about 13% of overall U.S. natural gas supply.

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In this piece, we will expand that discussion to talk about how the massive production coming out of the Eagle Ford and other oil and gas shale plays in Texas are affecting the national and international supply and demand picture.

FORBES: The Texas Shale Oil & Gas Revolution - Leading the Way to Enhanced Energy Security