Since its appearance a decade ago, shale production of both oil and gas has boomed, reversing a 40-year decline in North American production and surviving a severe price downturn. But like all resources, shale fields are finite. A look at the oldest shale plays shows how maturation and exhaustion eventually limit production. Furthermore, new demands from investors may change the trajectory of output. This session will explore the lifespan, potential, and governors of the North American shale phenomenon, as well as the realities that work to limit its impact on global markets.