Of course, safety extraction of energy from shale rocks is still discussed. Who cares from those Big Petro Cos.... Just like Big Pharmas....
Any country can do it. Major problem is: has to be done far from the big cities, till they're sure it's not dangerous...lol... We live on a dangerous planet with a dangerous specie: Humans...yikes...lol...
North Dakota is more like a vast desert. Even if dangerous for people they will do it.... When $$$ are there, collateral damages is just something we'll take care in the near future... around 2060 maybe... It's just a question of time...lol....
Many countries, mostly in Europe, cannot afford because their territories are not big enough....