Essay About Gas Prices And Natural Gas

Argument Analysis Marcellus Shale
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The term Marcellus Shale refers to the digging of wells in the ground to obtain the natural
gas that lies beneath. In analysis of the article, “Kelly: Marcellus Shale Development Key to
Energy Independence” written by Mike Kelly, the audience can infer from the title that the
author is pro Marcellus Shale drilling. The writer first believes that the US need not be
dependent on foreign energy sources and also that shale drilling is a necessary step to reach
energy independence.
From the start, the writer targets authorities of the national energy policies for their
contradicting statements and actions regarding the reduction of dependence on foreign oil. Kelly
makes it very clear that he feels little is being done to work towards this. He very simply states
(para. 4) that if “American energy production is expanded, government policies which drive up
gas prices are stopped, and a strategy that increases all forms of American energy is created,” the
US can reduce its dependence of foreign oil.
Marcellus Shale is the answer. Why? First, the “US natural gas, recoverable oil, and coal
resources combined is equal to 1.3 trillion barrels of oil,” which is stated by Kelly (para 5). That
being said, I wonder how much of the potential natural gas is within land owned by foreign
companies such as Shell or BP. It is possible that the gas being drilled by Marcellus Shale could
end up in foreign hands. Kelly also argues that shale drilling would create many jobs that cannot
be outsourced and also create revenue and produce energy (para. 6). These are all obviously
positive outcomes of drilling. My only concern would be the revenue to cost ratio. Yes, money
would be made from the land, natural gas, and taxes. Once the wells are dug, pipeline is
installed, and the gas is drilled, how much profit will really be made and is it truly beneficial in
the long run? It is estimated that around $500 billion will be added to Pennsylvanias economy
throughout the next 20 years (McClure). How does this compare to the cost to drill. Kelly could
have included the profit to backup his argument.