Gas Exploration Information for City of Dallas Residents

The Barnett Shale is a large natural gas reserve located approximately 1.5 miles below the surface. Some experts say that the Barnett Shale is the largest onshore natural gas field in the United States. The productive portion of the formation stretches from the city of Dallas west and south, covering 5,000 square miles and at least 18 counties In recent years, advances in drilling technology have made it possible for energy companies to extract large amounts of natural gas from the Barnett Shale.

The City of Dallas is located on the eastern edge of the Barnett Shale.  Please explore the links on the left of this page to learn more about gas exploration in the City of Dallas.  If you have additional questions that are not addressed, please go to our Contacts web page for departmental telephone numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions (Adobe PDF)

Map of Approximate Barnett Shale Area and the City of Dallas (Adobe PDF 2.7 MB)

Stages of Gas Well Drilling Production

The Texas Railroad Commission provides a Glossary of Oil and Gas Terms and Barnett Shale Information, including general information, statistics for the region and frequently asked questions.

The Barnett Shale Energy Education Council (BSEEC) is a community resource that provides information to the public about gas drilling and production in the Barnett Shale region in North Texas.