Gas Resources and Production in the Rocky Mountains

Natural gas demand in the United States has been increasing for the last 15 years and is expected to increase substantially in the next 20 years (Energy Information Administration, 2003; National Petroleum Council, 1999). Demand is projected to increase in all sectors, especially electricity generation (Figure 1.1). In fact, 80 percent of projected electricity generation capacity additions through 2025 is expected to be fueled by natural gas (Energy Information Administration, 2003). Meeting this increasing demand will require an accompanying increase in supply. Imports, over 95 percent of which come from Canada, at present account for approximately 15 percent of the natural gas supply in the United States (Energy Information Administration, 2001a). Although imports are projected to increase, the fraction of total gas demand met