TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractUnconventional gas resource plays continue to have a significant impact on natural gas production in the US due to recent technological advances and higher demand for gas. In the US, 22% of the total energy consumed comes from natural gas. The US domestic production of natural gas is around 85% of the demand; currently about half of that comes from unconventional resources. Primary unconventional sources are tight gas, shale gas, and coalbed methane (CBM). Tight gas, shale gas and CBM production accounts for approximately 28%, 14% and 8%, respectively, of total US gas production. Total US production for 2010 is 21.57 tcf. Achieving sustainable production from unconventional gas resources requires reaching extended areas of the reservoir and performing effective hydraulic fracturing, with its associated technologies, to help reduce risk and increase the success rate.