Spokesperson Dave Plante says the discovery of shale gas south of the border has had a huge impact on the natural gas sector in the United States.
He says it could have the same kind of impact on New Brunswick.
The University of Arkansas estimates the production of 1 billion cubit feet of gas can result in 9500 jobs and 200 million dollars in royalties.
He says this province is in the early days of exploration but on average the resources here are twice the thickness of those in western Canada. The Province's Metal Working Association will meet on the topic tomorrow in Moncton.
