The purpose of this presentation is to review some of the lessons learned and challenges facing shale plays right now, both liquids-rich and primarily gas and in doing so, review where technology has taken U.S.-based plays so far and how efforts are being made to push expand current techniques and technologies and move forward. It also reviews new directions in reservoir optimization, including refinement of sweet-spot identification and exploitation using an array of techniques and technologies in drilling, completions, re-entries, and enhanced oil recovery.