Total natural gas rig count in the US (including conventional gas drilling) Shale gas is natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States since the start of this century, and interest has spread to potential gas shales in the rest of the world.
A stressor is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or an event that causes stress to an organism.[1]
Stress concentration. A stress concentration (often called stress raisers or stress risers) is a location in an object where stress is concentrated. An object is stronger when force is evenly distributed over its area, so a reduction in area, e.g., caused by a crack, results in a localized increase in stress.