This document discusses how increased development of shale gas resources in the US could help domestic manufacturers by providing a lower-cost energy source. Shale gas production has already driven demand for manufacturing products and revived the domestic energy industry. The document estimates that increased shale gas recovery could support the creation of over 1 million new manufacturing jobs in the US by 2025, as affordable shale gas feedstock and energy allows manufacturers to increase output and hiring. However, factors like infrastructure limitations could constrain these potential benefits. National and industry associations quoted believe shale gas has enormous potential to boost the US manufacturing sector and economy.

1. December 2011
With contribution from
National Association of
Manufacturers
At a glance
Lower feedstock and energy
costs from shale gas could
help US manufacturers.
More chemical, metal, and
industrial manufacturers are
communicating to investors
that shale gas developments
have driven demand for
their products.
US manufacturers could
employ approximately
one million more workers
by 2025.

2. Introduction
The economic environment remains difficult for many US
manufacturers, with soft demand and margin pressures making it
harder to grow their domestic workforces. In this analysis, we present
our point of view on how shale gas resources can help the sector
address these challenges and create more jobs in the United States.
Executive summary

3. An increase in
domestic investment
Figure 1: Estimated shale gas and reported natural gas reserves, trillion cubic
feet (tcf), 2009
Proved natural Technically recoverable
gas reserves shale gas
United States 273 862
Total of regions surveyed 1,274 6,622
Total world 6,069 N/A
Source: EIA, “World Shale Gas Resources: An Initial Assessment of 14 Regions Outside the United States,”
April 2011; Total world technically recoverable shale gas reserve estimate not available as Russia, Central
and Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Central Africa were not included in the EIA assessment due to
conventional reserves and limitations of information/funding.

4. Revival of a domestic
energy source
1 http://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/
worldshalegas/
2 http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/
data_publications/crude_oil_natural_gas_
reserves/current/pdf/table13.pdf
3 http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.
asp?ID=2893
4 http://www.potentialgas.org/
5 http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/OEB/_
Documents/EB-2010-0199/ICF_Market_
Report_20100820.pdf
6 http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/

5. Affordable
feedstock/energy
and more demand
from energy end
market
7 http://www.eia.gov/emeu/mecs/
mecs2006/2006tables.html
8 http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/

7. “The safe production of shale gas has been a game-
changer in a variety of regions and among a variety
of sectors throughout our economy—notably
manufacturers. At a time when national economic and
employment indicators are uncertain at best, shale gas
producers and their vast and dynamic supply chain are
providing families and communities jobs and economic
development at a time when they’re needed most. The
Marcellus Shale is a case study in the transformative
impact of the natural gas industry. In Pennsylvania
and surrounding states, tens of thousands of jobs are
now supported by our industry and dozens of sectors—
from steel to construction firms—have been revitalized
through the promise of clean-burning and abundant
American energy.”
Kathryn Z. Klaber
President, Marcellus Shale Coalition

8. Investment story in
the United States
begins to play out
11 “Contracts and Projects: May 2011.” Process
Engineering. June 6, 2011
12 Katz, Jonathan. “The New Black Gold.” Industry
Week. May 1, 2011
13 Chemweek’s Business Daily. April 11, 2011
14 Begos, Kevin. “Shell to decide by end of year
where to locate huge new gas plant: Pa., Ohio or
W. Va.” Associated Press. September 2, 2011
15 “Nucor breaks ground in Louisiana DRI project.”
Steel Times International. March 10, 2011
9 Esposito, Frank. “Feedstock boon may aid
processors.” Plastics News, May 2, 2011 and
“Dow Unveils Plans to Integrate and Grow North
America Performance Business with Shale Gas
Liquids.” Manufacturing Close-up. April 30, 2011
10 Chemweek’s Business Daily. August 1, 2011

9. 16 “Valley can be heart of industries.” Tribune 20 “Nucor Announced Ground Breaking in St.
Chronicle. June 17, 2011 James Parish Project.” Nucor Corporation,
17 Mitchell, Adam. “From Exporter to Local Partner; accessed October 17, 2011. http://www.nucor.
French Steel-Tube-Maker Vallourec is Expanding com/investor/news/releases/?rid=1536511
Production Beyond its European Heartland, 21 “U.S. Steel making play to reduce coke
Says CEO Crouzet.” The Wall Street Journal. consumption, use natural gas.” nwtimes.
July 18, 2011 com, accessed October 17, 2011. http://www.
18 Feser, Katherine. “Deal of the Week: Pipe maker nwitimes.com/business/local/article_788e5feb-
to build home for research.” Houston Chronicle. 2bf1-5748-82a8-30789d943196.html
May 9, 2011
19 Kath, Jonanthan. “The New Black Gold.” Industry
Week. May 1, 2011

10. Significant job
creation potential

11. …we expect that manufacturing employment could
increase by approximately one million workers at
several future points in time in a high shale recovery
scenario compared to low shale recoveries.
Potential limiting
factors

12. “More and more Americans are beginning to recognize
the enormous potential of shale gas. The impact of
increased shale gas development will ripple through
our economy, with manufacturers, in particular, seeing
great benefits. Shale gas development has the potential
to boost manufacturing employment by one million
jobs by the middle of the next decade.”
Jay Timmons
President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers

13. Conclusion

14. About the PwC
network
About PwC’s
Industrial Products
practice

15. Contributions to this
paper were made by

16. To have a deeper conversation
about shale gas, please contact: