This document discusses how the US could become energy independent by 2030 due to increased production of tight oil and shale gas from unconventional reserves. New extraction techniques like fracking have led to soaring production of tight oil, particularly from the Bakken shale formation, and the US is projected to overtake both Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil production by 2017. The US is also expected to become a net exporter of natural gas by around 2017. These developments from unconventional sources could allow the US to meet its energy needs domestically and become energy independent as soon as 2030, a significant change from relying on imports for 45% of its needs in 2011. However, tight oil production is costly and unlikely to substantially lower global oil prices