?he newest Fed “Beige Book” contains this entry from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.


The Dallas region includes North Louisiana and all of Texas, which contain the Haynesville and Barnett shale plays.


The Dallas Fed reports, “Rising energy prices have pushed oil and natural gas drilling sharply higher in recent months. Land-based drilling directed to unconventional sources of natural gas has seen the largest gains. Drilling companies are adding jobs but report having difficulty finding workers with the skills they need.”