Fuel report
Gas 2019
Analysis and forecasts to 2024
Gas
Natural gas is the cleanest burning and fastest growing fossil fuel, contributing for almost one-third of total energy demand growth through the last decade, more than any other fuel.
Read more
Natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel, accounting today for 23% of global primary energy demand and nearly a quarter of electricity generation.
Being the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas provides a number of environmental benefits compared to other fossil fuels, particularly in terms of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Its storability and the operational flexibility of gas-fired power plants, allows natural gas to respond to both seasonal and short-term demand fluctuations and to enhance electricity supply security in power systems with a growing share of variable renewables.
The natural gas market is becoming increasingly globalised, driven by the availability of shale gas and the rising supplies of flexible liquefied natural gas. As gas trade increases, so does the interconnectivity of gas markets, creating new facets and dimensions of natural gas security, as a demand or supply shock in one region may now have repercussions in others.
Being the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas provides a number of environmental benefits compared to other fossil fuels, particularly in terms of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Its storability and the operational flexibility of gas-fired power plants, allows natural gas to respond to both seasonal and short-term demand fluctuations and to enhance electricity supply security in power systems with a growing share of variable renewables.
The natural gas market is becoming increasingly globalised, driven by the availability of shale gas and the rising supplies of flexible liquefied natural gas. As gas trade increases, so does the interconnectivity of gas markets, creating new facets and dimensions of natural gas security, as a demand or supply shock in one region may now have repercussions in others.
Last updated Dec 17, 2019
Key findings
Gas demand by region and scenario, 2018-2040
OpenNatural gas had a remarkable year in 2018
Natural gas had a remarkable year in 2018, with a 4.6% increase in consumption accounting for nearly half of the increase in global energy demand. Since 2010, 80% of growth has been concentrated in three key regions: the United States, where the shale gas revolution is in full swing; China, where economic expansion and air quality concerns have underpinned rapid growth; and the Middle East, where gas is a gateway to economic diversification from oil. Natural gas continues to outperform coal or oil in both the Stated Policies Scenario (where gas demand grows by over a third) and the Sustainable Development Scenario (where gas demand grows modestly to 2030 before reverting to present levels by 2040).
Power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2040
OpenNatural gas power generation without CCUS must begin to decline in the 2020s under the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario
Gas-fired power generation increased 4% in 2018, led by strong generation growth in the United States and China. At around 6100 TWh, gas accounts for 23% of overall power generation. In the Sustainable Development Scenario, gas use as a flexible transition fuel increases until the late 2020s, displacing unabated coal, but gas without CCUS declines steadily thereafter. This indicator remains yellow as we don’t yet see the kind of commitments globally for CCUS with natural gas that would provide confidence of achieving a Sustainable Development Scenario trajectory by 2030.
Flaring by region in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 1970-2030
OpenFlaring emissions must drop rapidly to get on track with the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario
Around 140 bcm of gas was flared in 2017, equivalent to Africa’s gas consumption. This is a slight decrease from 2010 but higher than in 2000. Most flared gas is converted into CO2, resulting in emissions of around 270 MtCO2. Russia, Iraq, Iran and the United States account for almost half of flaring globally. An increasing number of government and industry commitments aim to eliminate flaring by 2030, but most are voluntary. Under the Sustainable Development Scenario, flaring rates drop rapidly and are all but eliminated by 2025.
Data browser
Analysis
Fuel report
The Role of Gas in Today's Energy Transitions
World Energy Outlook special report
Fuel report
Global Gas Security Review 2019
Fuel report
Gas Trade Flows
Statistics report
Monthly OECD natural gas statistics
Data up to November 2019
Fuel report
The Oil and Gas Industry in Energy Transitions
World Energy Outlook special report
Article
Special Focus on Gas Infrastructure
Part of World Energy Outlook 2019
Flagship report
World Energy Outlook 2019
Events
12 Dec 2019
Statistics: Release of Monthly statistics Oil, Natural Gas and Prices
15 Nov 2019
Statistics: Release of Monthly statistics Oil, Natural Gas and Prices
11 Oct 2019
Statistics: Release of Monthly statistics Oil, Natural Gas and Prices
12 Sep 2019
