1. How many shale oil wells do energy companies plan to drill in Catarina, Texas over the next year?

2. By how much could the new onshore oil fields increase U.S. oil output over the next 10 years?

3. Why are energy companies only now tapping into these shale oil supplies? Be specific.

4. What economic benefits will these new wells provide? (jobs, tax revenue, local economy, etc.)?

5. How are oil companies like SM Energy planning on solving the water shortage problem in Texas?

6. Read the information and watch the video on fracking under "Background" and "Resources" below the questions.  Do you think the use of fracking to recover such large amounts of oil is a benefit to our country, or causes more harm than good? Explain your answer.