It isolates and segregates different subsurface zones and rock units, it controls corrosion, and it stabilizes the well, the pipe and the rock formation itself.

FORBES: The Fracking Solution Is A Good Cement Job

After World War II Lowe's became known hundreds of miles around for rock-bottom prices on nails, copper pipe and lumber by the railcar-load.

FORBES: Merchant Princes

Horizontal Drilling now allows these same operators to drill and set pipe for a mile or more horizontally through this same rock formation.

FORBES: Horizontal Drilling: A Technological Marvel Ignored

Think about what this advancement has meant just in terms of access to the resources: When drilling into a hydrocarbon bearing formation 100 feet thick, vertical drilling would allow an operator to contact 100 feet of rock, which would limit your potential recovery to whatever oil or gas would flow into that length of pipe.

FORBES: Horizontal Drilling: A Technological Marvel Ignored