What are Shale Basins?

Shale Basins are geologic oil & gas formations that are marked by the following: 1) the hydrocarbons are trapped within shale rock, which makes the source rock and the host rock one in the same, 2.) are prominent over a relatively wide area, thereby making them much more conducive to horizontal drilling, and 3.) require hydraulic fracturing to complete, because the porosity and permeability of the shale are so low. Major shale basins in the U.S. include the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus and Utica shales, although much of Permian Basin contains shale formations as well.