The Register Herald reports that West Virginia will likely play a leading role in the Marcellus Shale development in years to come.

As with other states boasting a large number of shale jobs created with the growing industry, a problem lies in the lack of individuals with the necessary training for the jobs. In the future, over 50,000 jobs could be created in West Virginia’s shale industry alone. It is also estimated that the state’s coal and natural gas could provide much of the world with energy for 25 years.

From The Register Herald:

“Saying the Marcellus reserves, which have only just begun to be tapped, already account for 20 percent of the nation’s natural gas production, [XTO Energy Inc. President Randy] Cleveland cited industry predictions that the region comprising West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio will end up as the third-highest producing region in the world in a few short years.”

Via: The Register Herald > Energy exec says state is ‘sitting on treasure’ with Marcellus gas