Challenges in providing technical information for societal use: Examples from the gas resource assessment community

Assessments of likely sources of natural gas incorporate scientific, social, and cultural elements, and illustrate the complex interactions of economics, science, engineering, and social factors in the perception of natural resources. Two groups produce assessments of the potential natural gas resources of the United States: the private sector Potential Gas Agency and the public sector US Geological Survey and Minerals Management Service, which produce joint national reports. Both groups use similar technical methods but have adopted different operational structures that reflect different practices and norms in the public and private sectors. Both groups have encountered difficulties in communicating their technical information to the non-technical community, leading to legal and political interventions. These applied science programs meet the criteria for scientific success, but have room for improvement in meeting the needs of society.