The US shale revolution unlocked oil and gas from dozens of tight rock formations across the country. While the Permian Basin is by far the largest, more than a dozen named plays drive American production. Below is a map-style overview of the most significant ones and what each is known for.
The major oil and gas shale plays
| Play | Location | Mainly produces |
|---|---|---|
| Permian (biggest) | West Texas / SE New Mexico | Oil & gas |
| Bakken | North Dakota / Montana | Oil |
| Eagle Ford | South Texas | Oil, condensate & gas |
| Marcellus | Appalachia (PA, WV, OH, NY) | Natural gas |
| Utica | Appalachia (under Marcellus) | Natural gas |
| Haynesville | NW Louisiana / East Texas | Natural gas |
| Anadarko (SCOOP/STACK) | Oklahoma | Oil & gas |
| Niobrara / DJ Basin | Colorado | Oil |
| Powder River | Wyoming | Oil & gas |
| Barnett | Fort Worth, Texas | Natural gas |
| Woodford | Oklahoma | Oil & gas |
| Uinta | Utah | Waxy crude oil |
The Barnett Shale near Fort Worth, Texas is considered the birthplace of modern shale-gas fracking, pioneered in the late 1990s and 2000s — the techniques later spread to every play on this list.
Oil plays vs. gas plays
Broadly, the country's shale plays split by product. The big oil-rich plays include the Permian, Bakken, Niobrara/DJ Basin and the unusual Uinta, which produces a waxy crude that is solid at room temperature. The leading gas-rich plays are the Marcellus, Utica, Haynesville and Barnett. Several — Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Powder River and Woodford — straddle both, producing a profitable mix of oil, condensate and gas.
For deeper dives, see the dedicated guides to the Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Haynesville and Anadarko plays.
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Frequently asked
The Permian Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico is by far the largest US shale play, producing both oil and natural gas.
The Barnett Shale near Fort Worth, Texas is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern shale-gas hydraulic fracturing, developed in the late 1990s and 2000s.
The Uinta Basin in Utah produces a waxy crude oil that is solid at room temperature, requiring heated transport and specialized handling.