Every well that gets drilled into shale formations or other tight reservoirs requires hydraulic fracturing before the oil and gas will flow.

FORBES: Shale Gas Frackers Get Excited About ... A New Sponge?

Wells in shale plays have to undergo a process known as fracturing to boost the porosity of the rock and to make oil and gas flow to the well head.

FORBES: Baker Hughes Ramps Up Oil Fracking On Low Natural Gas Prices

Today the Obama administration tightened oil and gas industry regulations, forcing drillers to capture air pollutants released during well construction including during hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in new wells.

FORBES: U.S. Energy Independence in 15 Years?