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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


AWEaP partners with the University of Limpopo to deliver premier energy Master Class to entrepreneurs in Limpopo to build the country’s next generation of energy businesses
AWEaP partners with the University of Limpopo to deliver premier energy Master Class to entrepreneurs in Limpopo to build the country’s next generation of energy businesses
18th August 2026

Sixty entrepreneurs from across the Limpopo Province will be equipped to pursue emerging commercial opportunities in renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear, natural gas and other fast-growing areas of... 


An image of copper
BMI expects metals complex performance to remain strong
14th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The metals complex has remained well-supported so far this month, extending the upward momentum from late June, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, points out. It explains that this is underpinned by a... 


Natural gas infrastructure
US natural gas output, demand to hit record highs in 2026, EIA says
12th August 2026 By: Reuters

US natural gas supply and demand will both rise to record highs in 2026, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook on Tuesday. The EIA projected dry gas... 


Petrobras oil and gas tanks
Petrobras halts studies for $1bn gas pipeline in Brazil amid regulatory uncertainty, sources say
5th August 2026 By: Reuters

Brazil's Petrobras is reassessing a major natural gas infrastructure investment in Brazil amid regulatory uncertainty surrounding a proposed government program that could also impact a project by... 


Coal stockpiles
China generates less than half of its electricity from coal for the first time
30th July 2026 By: Reuters

China, the world's largest coal consumer, generated less than 50% of its electricity from the fossil fuel in the six months to June, marking a first for the country which has been promoting the use... 


TotalEnergies Hydra Storage opening ceremony in De Aar
Engineering South Africa's Energy Future - An industry perspective
30th July 2026

Winter has a way of making us think about energy, whether we mean to or not. The geyser works harder. The heater stays on longer. Cold mornings remind you just how much you rely on electricity... 


Drill rig
New Zealand grants first offshore petroleum permit since reversing exploration ban
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

New Zealand's centre-right coalition government on Wednesday granted its first petroleum exploration permit since reversing a ban on offshore exploration imposed by former Prime Minister Jacinda... 


Eni oil and gas infrastructure
Eni-Petronas JV starts floating gas facility build for North Hub in Indonesia
24th July 2026 By: Reuters

Searah, the joint venture energy company formed by Italy's Eni and Malaysia's Petronas, has started developing a floating gas facility to process gas from its $11.8-billion North Hub project in... 


ADNOC project called Hail & Ghasha
ADNOC greenlights $6.2bn Umm Shaif Gas Cap project
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

Abu Dhabi's State energy company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has taken a $6.2-billion final investment decision (FID) to develop the Umm Shaif Gas Cap, in an acceleration of its... 


Oil and pipeline infrastructure
Iran to restore 100-million cubic metres of lost gas output in coming months, official says
20th July 2026 By: Reuters

Iran expects to restore around 100-million cubic metres a day of natural gas production capacity within the coming months, a senior government official said on Monday according to the oil... 


Offshore oil rig
New Zealand gas exploration interest picks up after years in doldrums
20th July 2026 By: Reuters

Seven oil and gas players are racing to secure offshore exploration rights in New Zealand ahead of a national election that could lead to a ban on new permits, as the country's major parties battle... 


ARC Resources' Attachie production site
ARC shareholders approve $16.4bn Shell takeover deal
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Canadian energy company ARC Resources said on Tuesday its shareholders have voted in favor of being acquired by Shell, clearing another step for one of this year's biggest energy sector deals.... 


Natural gas tank
Chesapeake Utilities unit to build $1.2bn Florida gas pipeline project
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

Chesapeake Utilities said on Monday its unit Peninsula Pipeline Company will develop, construct and operate a natural gas pipeline project in Florida for about $1.2-billion. The project will help... 


Russian LNG seaport
EU imports record LNG volumes from Russia's biggest plant ahead of ban
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

European Union countries imported record-high volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Yamal facility in the first half of this year, EU data showed on Monday, ahead of a ban on Russian... 


Woodside gas project in Australia
Aus regulator sees east coast gas market well-supplied through 2026, warns of 2027 risks
10th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's east coast gas market is expected to have sufficient supply in the fourth quarter of 2026, though further investment will be needed to meet longer-term demand, the country's competition... 


Mine truck with coal
US power use to beat record highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI use surges, EIA says
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

US power consumption, which hit its second straight yearly record high in 2025, will rise further in 2026 and 2027, driven by AI-hungry data centers and electrification, the Energy Information... 


LNG vessel
Global LNG trade hit record in 2025, but Middle East conflict clouds outlook, IGU says
7th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade hit a record last year as strong US exports and rising European imports offset weaker Asian purchases, the International Gas Union (IGU) said in a report on... 


Cowal gold mine, in Australia
Weaker commodity prices set to tip Australia into trade deficit
6th July 2026 By: Bloomberg

The boost to Australia’s trade from the mining boom looks to be fading as imports soar and export growth flatlines, potentially putting it on track for the first annual deficit since 2016. The... 


Coal plant
Japan cuts gas in favour of coal as Hormuz disruption chokes LNG
3rd July 2026 By: Bloomberg

Japan sharply reduced natural gas-fired power generation last month, instead relying more on coal, as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz tightened supplies of the cleaner-burning fuel. The... 


Africa's Energy Future Lies in Integrated Power Systems
Africa's Energy Future Lies in Integrated Power Systems
2nd July 2026

As Africa races to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to more than 600 million people without access to power, energy experts increasingly agree that the continent's future... 


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pqt: 0.092s - ct: 0.143s - 277pq - 2rq
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