Despite concerns about global warming, natural gas remains a kingpin in world energy markets, fueling electric power plants and finding new uses in addition to workhorse roles in industry, heating, transportation and agriculture.

The world’s demand for natural gas has been relentlessly growing for decades as the globe modernizes and industrializes, and living standards are obtained that can only be sustained by heavier energy consumption.

In addition, the relatively abundant natural gas burns more cleanly than oil or coal, releasing less carbon dioxide during combustion per unit of energy produced.

In 1965, the world consumed 19 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The advantages of natural gas explain why this figure grew nearly sixfold to 115 billion cubic meters by 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A natural future?

Past is prologue when it comes to the outlook for natural gas demand.