Natural gas producers who are crossing fingers for higher natural gas prices may be waiting a while, according to a new report by IHS.

The research suggests the price could remain around $4 to $5 per million British thermal unit for the next 20 years.

The report also mentioned the use of unconventional extraction practices, like fracking.

Read it:

“Unconventional natural gas production, driven by shale gas resources, has increased rapidly. Total shale gas production in 2000 was only 1 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day, roughly 2% of total US lower-48 production… By 2012, shale gas accounted for 39% of US lower-48 production and IHS CERA expects that it will account for 58% of total productive capacity by 2035.”

Still profitable

Though prices are predicted to remain low, unconventional drilling will keep natural gas production profitable. IHS cites lower long-term costs when unconventional drilling is used, a fact that will allow producers to wipe some sweat from their brows.

Plenty of supply for demand

Because of the industry’s tapping into large underground natural gas reservoirs with fracking, the report suggests that even with increased demand, the price should stay rather steady, ” The US natural gas resources base can now accommodate significant increases in demand without requiring a significantly higher price to elicit new supply.”