The **Abstract**
Throughout history, every leap in human productivity has been driven by innovations in energy use. From the early practice of "drilling wood for fire," which helped transition humanity into agricultural civilization and marked the beginning of the "fuelwood era," to the invention of the steam engine, which sparked the Industrial Revolution and introduced coal as a major power source, energy has always been at the core of progress. The development of electricity and internal combustion engines led to the second industrial revolution, with oil becoming central to transportation and industry, fueling urbanization and globalization. Today, we are entering the information age, where technology evolves rapidly, and the "third industrial revolution" is on the horizon—bringing renewed focus on energy transformation. The large-scale use of natural gas is now ushering in a new energy era.
Natural gas, primarily composed of methane, has unique characteristics that set it apart from coal and oil. It has lower energy density, making it more challenging to transport and store. Its use in transportation and industry is still limited, and traditional reserves are finite. Unconventional sources, such as shale gas, are expensive and technically difficult to extract. As a result, natural gas has not always held a prominent position in the global energy mix. However, recent technological advances have changed this dynamic.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has broken through key technical and economic barriers, unlocking vast reserves of unconventional natural gas. This innovation has significantly increased the amount of recoverable gas worldwide, surpassing even oil in proven reserves. These resources could meet global demand for over 250 years. Additionally, natural gas offers competitive pricing and greater supply security, driving a global boom in exploration and production.
Natural gas also plays a critical role in today’s energy landscape. First, as peak oil becomes a reality, natural gas serves as an ideal alternative. Second, with the global shift toward a low-carbon economy, driven by events like the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, natural gas stands out due to its lower carbon emissions and reduced air pollution. It acts as a transitional energy source, helping nations address climate change while building a greener economy. Third, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, many countries have scaled back nuclear energy, creating gaps in their energy supply. In response, emerging economies like China and India have turned to natural gas to meet rising energy demands. Finally, as industries and transportation increasingly rely on natural gas, its strategic importance continues to grow.
Today, the natural gas market is experiencing strong growth in both supply and demand. According to the 2013 World Energy Outlook by the International Energy Agency, global natural gas demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.6%, reaching nearly 5 trillion cubic meters by the end of the decade. Most of this growth will occur in non-OECD countries, and international trade will double. By 2030, natural gas is projected to surpass coal as the second-largest energy source globally, accounting for a quarter of total energy consumption.
Driven by this growing demand, countries around the world are implementing policies to boost natural gas development. The U.S. has elevated shale gas to a national strategic priority, with promising export opportunities. Canada is focusing on Asian markets, streamlining approvals for gas projects, and constructing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals on the West Coast. Australia is expanding its shale gas and coalbed methane production, with seven LNG projects currently under construction. In Africa, Mozambique has launched its first LNG project, aiming to export 50 million tons annually. Algeria is expanding its pipeline network to Italy, while Libya is working on a 1,400-km pipeline to southern Europe. Russia and Qatar are also accelerating their LNG exports, with Russia liberalizing its LNG market and Qatar securing long-term contracts in Asia.
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