The tried and trusted method averages between 11,000-30,000 cubic metres per well in its lifetime (thanks wiki).  The Barnett Shale fracking area has already wiped out an aquifer supplying water to communities in Texas and New Mexico. The concerns regarding degradation of the environment and potential destruction of agriculture are genuine. What's the use of job creation if it simultaneously wipes out other industries and renders the area unlivable? The consequences of well blowouts, the incidents of earth tremors, some higher than Richter 3.0, land subsidence, air pollution and workplace hazards are too well -documented for me to list them here (again, thanks Wiki).  Like Jonathon Deal, I am not surprised at the new findings, but I am relieved for the sake of those people living and farming there. I think we can find infinitely more eco-and-health-friendly SUSTAINABLE job creation projects than a dicey environment wrecker like fracking.