The price of gas in the U.S. will need to rise in order to provide incentives for companies to invest in shale gas in the country, the International Energy Agency's chief economist said Tuesday.

Speaking in Brussels , Fatih Birol said the Paris-based agency, which represents consuming nations, expected the price of gas would need to be around $6 per million British thermal units to encourage investment.

The price of natural gas futures in the U.S. is currently hovering below $4 per million BTU.

However, in its closely-watched World Energy Outlook published last week, the IEA noted that robust oil prices would continue to support investment in areas where both gas and natural gas liquids could be extracted.

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