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The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides an interactive map showing the major tight oil and shale gas plays in the lower 48 states.
Tight oil and shale gas are two of the main types of "unconventional" oil and gas resources, and played an important role in the early-21st-century resurgence in domestic production of oil (beginning around 2009) and natural gas (beginning around 2006).
In addition to showing the outline, thickness, and area for each of the major tight oil and shale gas plays, the map also includes:
- Oil and gas refining and processing infrastructure
- Pipelines and transmission infrastructure
- Other transport and storage infrastructure (rail terminals, ports, petroleum reserves, underground natural gas storage, waterways, and liquefied natural gas terminals)
- Oil and gas wells and platforms
- Administrative boundaries and congressional districts
Click here to access the EIA tight oil and shale gas play map