- The shale industry in the US is expected to peak between 2018-2020, with reserves overestimated by 100-500% in some plays. Several major oil companies wrote down billions in assets in 2013 due to lower shale gas and oil prices. Shale capital expenditures significantly exceeded free cash flow between 2010-2013. Defaults are expected to increase on high yield bonds as energy debt grows as a percentage of total high yield debt. Job growth in solar has exceeded oil and gas since 2012. Rig counts have plunged 40% and production must increase significantly just to offset declines in the Permian, Eagle Ford and Bakken plays. LNG export plans have been scrapped as price spreads have disappeared. Share prices of leading shale operators have significantly under