Since the late 1990s, American landscapes have become dotted with a small forest of shale gas wells — 13,000 new ones a year, or about 35 a day, according to the American Petroleum Institute. In the past decade, this steady stream of development has become a gusher as nearly half the country has staked claim to these energy riches. In 2000, the USA had 342,000 natural gas wells. By 2010, more than 510,000 were in place — a 49% jump — according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Natural gas gold rush: Is your state next?
by Dan Vergano
USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-05-29/fracking-environment-gas/55845708/1