Fitch: Wide Ranging Impacts of Shale Revolution Expected to Continue

The rise of U.S. oil production, as a result of shale plays, has moderated global oil prices and saved markets from price increases linked to Middle Eastern supply disruptions, according to a Fitch Ratings presentation.

The presentation was included during a round of meetings with European investors by analysts in Fitch's North American and EMEA energy teams. The presentation provides perspectives on the U.S., EMEA (including Russia) and Asian energy markets, as well as a discussion of the credit impacts the shale revolution has had on companies across the energy sector.

Fitch expects productivity gains in shale wells to moderate, but continue as producers experiment with well designs to lower costs and raise output. Despite the growth of shale production, Fitch notes that the favorable conditions in the U.S. associated with rapid shale development are not fully present in other regions of the world.

The full presentation 'Shale and North American Energy: European Investor Tour,' is available at 'www.fitchratings.com.'

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research: Shale and North American Energy (European Investor Tour)

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=801728

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