HARRISBURG, May 28, 2015 ─ Pennsylvania now rivals the world’s major energy producing countries, according to a ranking published today by API.      “This is what energy security looks like,” said Stephanie Catarino Wissman, executive director of the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania (API-PA), “Thanks to innovations in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, Pennsylvania now outpaces eight of 12 OPEC nations in natural gas production. Rising domestic production has helped to reshape global markets and revitalize job creation here in the United States.”     With a natural gas output of 6.13 billion cubic feet per day, Pennsylvania would rank 13th among the world’s top gas producing countries, exceeding nations like Mexico and the United Arab Emirates in 2012, the most recent year for which consistent international data is available. The state’s rapid growth in shale production, unlocked by hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, has helped the United States to take the top spot among global producers and places Pennsylvania third among all U.S. states.      “Pennsylvania isn’t just a national leader – it’s a global leader,” said Wissman. “Shale production has changed the way other countries view competition from America. To harness the world-class opportunity in front of us, it’s critical that policymakers open the doors for free trade and lift regulatory barriers on the construction of vital energy infrastructure, including pipelines and export terminals. More urgently, the governor must steer away from higher taxes that would damage Pennsylvania’s competitive edge.”    The oil and natural gas industry supports some 339,000 Pennsylvania jobs and contributes $34.7 billion to the state’s economy. The shale revolution also has saved U.S. consumers an estimated $1,200 per household annually.    “Responsible production and use of natural gas is a major reason why U.S. carbon emissions are near a 20-year low,” added Wissman. “Pennsylvania is leading the world, and our success saves consumers money while cleaning the air.”     API-PA is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.