Future Looks Bright for Cline Shale Potential

"There are always challenges with sudden growth, but recent experience in the western part of the Basin will be helpful," Perryman noted.

The Cline Shale Alliance, which was launched in April of this year, is a good idea for addressing Cline shale development issues, Perryman noted, as the economic growth on the scale that appears to be likely for the Cline brings about significant challenges.

"The more community and business leaders can plan and cooperate on a regional scale, the more the benefits can be maximized while the problems are minimized. The Alliance is pulling in a lot of key members, and while there is room for other organizations, it is positioned to take a lead role." 

Training can become an issue, with potential instructors in key areas (such as truck driving) taking better paying jobs actually driving trucks for oil companies.

"However, the long history of oil and gas in the Permian Basin also helps [the Cline] in this regard," Perryman noted.