EID's Mike reports on the importance of shale development in BP's energy outlook 2030:

"Last week, BP released their third annual Energy Outlook 2030 report, based on up-to-date analysis, and taking into account developments of the past year.

Last year’s outlook led the way in showing how North America is likely to become self-sufficient in energy. This year’s edition examines more closely the development of shale gas and tight oil – the phenomenon driving America’s energy revival – and highlights its impact on our global energy future.

Key Points of the BP analysis:

• Oil  is expected to be the slowest growing of the major fuels to 2030, with demand growing at an average of just 0.8% a year. Nonetheless, this will still result in demand for oil and other liquid fuels being 16 million barrels a day higher in 2030 than 2011. All the net demand growth will come from outside the OECD – demand growth from China, India and the Middle East will together account for almost all of net demand growth.
• Natural gas is expected to be the fastest growing of the fossil fuels – with demand rising at an average of 2% a year. Non-OECD countries will generate 76% of demand growth. Power generation and industry account for the largest increments to demand by sector. LNG production is expected to grow more than twice as fast as gas consumption, at an average of 4.3% a year and accounting for 27% of the growth in gas supply to 2030.
• Shale gas supplies are expected to meet 37 percent of the growth in gas demand and account for 16 percent of world gas and 53 percent of U.S. gas production by 2030
• In 2030 North America is still expected to account for 73 percent of world shale gas production.

In an column in this morning’s Warren Tribune on the study, one key factor was highlighted – energy produced by natural gas will continue to be the fastest growing of all the fossil fuels (with demand rising at an average of 2 percent a year for the next 17 years), and the United States will be leading in its production.

While we expect other regions will adapt over time to develop their resources, by 2030 we expect North America still to dominate production of these resources. -  Christof Rühl, BP Group Chief Economist (Release, 1/16/12)

Ohio plays a key role in the increase in production, a fact recognized by the company.

BP is well-known throughout Ohio. In fact, through its heritage companies of Standard Oil of Ohio (SOHIO) and Amoco, BP’s roots in the state date back to 1870.