How the Shale Revolution Led to Operation Epic Fury

Published

April 2, 2026

Author

Kevin Dayaratna, Ph.D.

Topline

The Shale Revolution unleashed American energy production and strengthened America’s energy security and national security. By expanding domestic oil and gas output, the United States became less vulnerable to foreign supply disruptions and external shocks, even though 20% of the world’s oil transits the Strait of Hormuz. This stronger domestic energy position created the conditions for President Trump to launch Operation Epic Fury.

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Background

For years, the U.S. was highly dependent on foreign oil from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Persian Gulf. Then came the shale revolution, driven by the combination of two technologies: Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE BY THE NUMBERS

2009: U.S. becomes the world’s largest producer of natural gas.
2018: U.S. becomes the world’s largest producer of crude oil.
2025: U.S. produced 13.6 million barrels of oil per day.
- In 2009, we produced just 5.4 million barrels of oil per day.
2025: U.S. produces 108 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
- In 2009, we produced just 56.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

WORLD LEADER IN ENERGY: The U.S. share of global gas production also increased from 22% in 2000 to the world’s leader at 25% in 2024, as shown in Figure 3.

As the U.S. relies more on domestic energy resources, American homes and businesses can count on greater energy security and worry less that foreign conflicts will disrupt supply.

TODAY: The Iran war underscores the importance of unleashing American energy and what happens when countries don’t have energy alternatives.

When conflict disrupts Gulf shipping lanes and threatens major energy facilities, countries with strong domestic production are far less vulnerable than countries dependent on unstable foreign supply.
This is especially important right now as Iran has stalled shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil and gas prices, and damaged major energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

Bottom Line

The Shale Revolution did more than expand U.S. oil and natural gas production—it created the opportunity for President Trump to strike Iran, knowing America would be shielded from the worst effects of shipping lane closures. By making energy here at home, America is more resilient to foreign conflict, less vulnerable to coercion, and better positioned to withstand energy pricing shocks from crises such as the current war involving Iran.