[Ditto]

I tend to agree with you. The only thing I'd say is that I would like to see US demand for gas via generation, transportation, manufacturing and as a chemical feedstock drive increases in drilling vs exports driving the increases.

I suppose that eventually we will reach some world market price for natural gas like we have for oil, but I sure would love to see our relatively low natural gas prices lead a resurgence in US industry -- especially in the rust belt where this shale gas exists, before that happens.

All things considered, I'd rather be exporting value-added manufactured products rather than raw resources such as natural gas. Low energy prices would sure go a long way to make that happen.

[thackney]

Some of that is already going on.

Dow sees shale gas ‘renaissance’ for US chemicals sector
http://www.icis.com/Articles/2011/06/08/9467658/dow-sees-shale-gas-renaissance-for-us-chemicals-sector.html

Prospects for North American petrochemical producers improve
http://www.icis.com/Articles/2011/03/21/9444238/prospects-for-north-american-petrochemical-producers.html