With U.S. Natural Gas Booming, a Move to Send It Overseas

Companies are making the first moves to parlay abundant U.S. natural gas into a global business, but many worry that U.S. consumers will be hurt.

(Related interactive: "Breaking Fuel From Rock")

(Related: "The Science of Shale Gas")

Roe signed an agreement that gives Oklahoma City's Gulfport Energy the right to prospect for gas on his 59-acre (24-hectare) parcel in return for a signing fee and future royalties. And he's watching his neighbors make similar moves.

"Leasing is going nuts right here, right now," Roe said. As eager as he is to sell the fuel beneath his land, Roe says there is one cross-border move by the natural gas companies he is hesitant to endorse: The burgeoning effort to begin exporting the newly abundant U.S. natural gas by tanker to markets around the world.

"I personally believe it should stay here to meet our needs," he said,

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