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Natural Gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane and other hydrocarbons, found in underground rock formations and extracted for use as an energy source. It is one of the world's most important energy commodities, used for electricity generation, heating, industrial processes and as a feedstock for petrochemicals and fertilisers. Natural gas is typically extracted through conventional drilling or, increasingly, through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of shale formations and coalbed methane deposits. Major producing countries include the United States, Russia, Iran, China, Qatar and Australia, with global trade conducted via pipeline networks and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. The fuel is valued for burning more cleanly than coal or oil, producing lower carbon dioxide and particulate emissions per unit of energy, though methane leakage during extraction and transport poses climate concerns. Demand has grown steadily as countries seek energy security and transition away from coal, particularly in Asia where China, Japan and South Korea are leading importers. Pricing varies regionally, with benchmarks including Henry Hub in North America, the UK's National Balancing Point and Asian LNG spot markets. Natural gas plays a central role in energy-transition debates, positioned by some as a bridge fuel to renewables and by others as a continued fossil-fuel dependency. Infrastructure for storage, regasification and distribution requires substantial capital investment, shaping both domestic energy policy and international trade relationships. The industry is subject to geopolitical influence, with pipeline routes and LNG export terminals often reflecting strategic alliances and regional power dynamics.

Natural Gas News


Magazine Cover Image
Demand for electricity to outpace economic growth and reshape investment
19th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Global electricity demand is set to outpace economic growth as part of a broader trend up to 2030, with electricity consumption projected to grow at least two-and-a-half times as fast as overall... 


Petronas signage
Indonesia's PC Ketapang II launches construction on Bukit Panjang gas project
18th June 2026 By: Reuters

PC Ketapang II Ltd, a unit of the Searah joint venture between Italy's Eni and Malaysia's Petronas, has begun the physical construction work on its Bukit Panjang gas field in Indonesia, the company... 


IEA executive director Fatih Birol
Countries prioritising domestic energy options amid ‘largest-ever energy security crisis’
12th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Countries are increasingly prioritising domestic energy resources as they seek to reduce their reliance on imported fuels in response to what the International Energy Agency (IEA)  is describing as... 


Oil refinery in New Brunswick
India considering Canada as potential crude oil supplier, envoy says
11th June 2026 By: Reuters

India is considering Canada as a potential crude oil supplier, High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik said on Wednesday at the Global Energy Show in Calgary, Alberta, adding that the country's newer... 


Coal mine in the US
Trump plans $700 million in new coal support, White House official says
4th June 2026 By: Reuters

US President Donald Trump is planning to use Cold War-era national defence powers to send nearly $700-million to support coal facilities, according to a White House official. Trump could announce... 


LNG vessel at sea
Canada inks first LNG supply agreement with Germany's SEFE for British Columbia project
28th May 2026 By: Reuters

Canada and Germany’s State-owned energy firm SEFE said on Wednesday they had reached what Canada described as its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with a European buyer, underscoring... 


Steelworker at smelter
Chinese coal disaster to ripple through steel, power, chemicals
28th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

The Shanxi coal disaster is likely to hit Chinese output in the short term, raising costs for steelmakers, power plants and chemicals manufacturers. The explosion at a coking coal mine that killed... 


NYSE building
Natural gas, royalty company WhiteHawk lists on NYSE
26th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

WhiteHawk Income Corporation has announced the size of its initial public offering (IPO) of 6.9-million Class A shares on the NYSE, at an expected price of between $25 and $27 apiece, which should... 


GLNG Santos project
Draft Australian LNG policy draws ire from industry
25th May 2026 By: Reuters

The Australian government on Monday released a draft of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export rules for consultation, looking to clarify its new 20% domestic reservation rule but drawing criticism... 


Truck in coalfield
Deep under China's coal basins, PetroChina is unlocking gas from rocks
22nd May 2026 By: Reuters

Thousands of metres below its vast coal basins, China is tapping an unconventional fuel source in a multi-billion-dollar effort to unleash new supplies of natural gas and further Beijing's goal for... 


GLNG Santos plant
Australian energy producers say gas review falls short on supply goals
19th May 2026 By: Reuters

Australian Energy Producers (AEP) chairperson Cecile Wake said on Tuesday that the government's gas market review falls short of its objective to boost supply. "We must avoid the 'false choice'... 


Oil & gas drill rig
EU energy ministers to discuss domestic gas drilling, document says
6th May 2026 By: Reuters

European Union countries' energy ministers will take the unusual step of discussing domestic natural gas production next week, as governments seek ways to limit the economic impact of the Iran war,... 


a green gas engine
Gas supply constraints stall power transition
24th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Securing reliable, long-term gas supply is the main constraint to expanding gas-to-power and industrial energy solutions in South Africa, says electrical power solutions provider Clarke Energy... 


Plastics SA comments on global polymer price volatility and supply constraints
22nd April 2026

By Anton Hanekom, Executive Director: Plastics SA The global polymer market is currently undergoing significant disruption, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their... 


Global energy demand up 1.3% in 2025, electricity demand up by 3% – IEA
20th April 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Global energy demand growth slowed to 1.3% in 2025, which is slightly below the preceding decade’s average of 1.4% and significantly lower than in 2024, while global electricity demand increased by... 


Coal stockpiles in China
China revives coal-to-gas projects as energy security frays
20th April 2026 By: Bloomberg

A high-profile Chinese coal-to-gas venture that lay dormant for over a decade is set to launch this year, as part of a wave of investments that will allow Beijing to mitigate threats to fuel supply... 


Gas drill rig in Austria
Australian gas explorer announces drill campaign on three initial Austrian targets
20th April 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed ADX Energy has started drilling at its 50%-owned Hochfeld-1 shallow gas exploration well in Austria, marking the start of what could be a transformational chapter for the company.... 


IEA CEO Fatih Birol
IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls
14th April 2026 By: Reuters

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they... 


Coal at Talga mine
Iran conflict and spinoff effects are keeping coal prices higher
10th April 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Energy prices, including coal, have been increasing on the back of intensifying geopolitical risk in the Middle East since the end of February. Research agency BMI reports Newcastle thermal coal... 


Bevan Jones
King coal is dead, long live king coal
27th March 2026

In our weekly Energies Briefing to our clients on February 20, 2026, we noted that, “…it would seem that war is imminent, with [US President Donald] Trump threatening ‘really bad things’ by the... 


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