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Top 10 Natural Gas Producers
A list of world’s top 10 marketed natural gas producers.
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Russia
Production: 22.5 Tcf
Russia, the world’s second-largest producer of dry natural gas, also holds the largest global natural gas reserves of 1,688 Tcf according to the Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ). Russia’s reserves (most of which are located in Siberia) account for about a quarter of the world’s total proven reserves. Yamburg, Urengoy, and Medvezh’ye fields alone account for more than 40% of Russia’s total reserves, while other major deposits are located in Northern Russia.
Natural gas associated with oil production in Russia is often flared, and several attempts by the Russian government to curb the flaring have been unsuccessful. A number of targeted measures have been put forth, however no significant reductions have occurred.
Iran
Production: 6.54 Tcf
Holding the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves and the second-largest natural gas reserves globally, Iran’s natural gas accounts for about 59% of the country’s total domestic energy consumption (2010). Natural gas production has slowly expanded even though the oil sector is still relatively underdeveloped. International sanctions are not helping the energy situation in Iran as the lack of foreign investment and technology transfer is greatly affecting the sector. Iran’s natural gas production however is expected to increase in the coming years. It is the third-largest natural gas producer in the world.
Canada
Production: 5.57 Tcf
Canada’s proved natural gas reserves amounted to 61 Tcf in 2011.
Most of its natural gas reserves are conventional resources in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) which includes those associated with the region’s oilfields. Canada is a top producer of dry natural gas and is the source of most of U.S. natural gas imports. Although the country holds relatively small portion of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, Canada ranks third in dry natural gas production. It remains the fourth-largest exporter of natural gas after Russia, Norway, and Qatar.
Large deposits of shale gas and tight gas can be found in the WCSB.
Qatar
Production: 5.62 Tcf
Qatar is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world. It exports LNG, crude oil, and petroleum products from which the government earns a significant portion of it revenues.
Natural gas is at the core of Qatar’s energy sector, with the country holding the third-largest proved reserves in the world. Its current reserves sit at 885 Tcf (OGJ). Qatar exports nearly 85% of its natural gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG), and it has been the largest exporter of LNG in the world since 2006. Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) leads Qatar’s LNG sector, operating four major LNG ventures (Qatargas I-IV).
Norway
Production: 4.16 Tcf
Norway is Western Europe’s largest oil producer and the second-largest gas exporter in the world after Russia. It plays a significant role in the supply of oil and natural gas to European nations.
Norway had 71 Tcf of proven natural gas reserves as of January 2012 (EIA). Despite the maturation of its major natural gas fields in the North Sea, Norway has been able to sustain yearly increases in total natural gas production by continuing to develop new fields.
OECD European countries imported about 74% of Norway’s total production of natural gas, with Spain receiving nearly half of that.
Algeria
Production: 3.59 Tcf
Algeria is the second largest oil producer in Africa after Nigeria; however, it is the largest natural gas producer on the continent. The country holds vast unexploited reserves of shale gas, about 231 Tcf. (according to an EIA-sponsored released in April 2011)
Oil and gas accounted for nearly 70% of Algeria’s government budget in 2011 (IMF), making it the prime source of revenue for the country. Algeria became a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1969, after it began oil production in 1958.
Saudi Arabia
Production: 4.00 Tcf
Saudi Arabia’s oil and natural gas operations are controlled by Saudi Aramco the world’s largest oil company in terms of proven oil reserves and production. Saudi has the world’s fifth largest natural gas reserves, however natural gas production remains constrained. Saudi Arabia had proven natural gas reserves of 288 Tcf at the end of 2012, fifth largest in the world behind Russia, Iran, Qatar, and the United States, according to EIA estimates.
China
Production: 3.81 Tcf
China was formerly a net exporter of gas until 2007, when it became a net importer of natural gas. Despite rapid growth in production and consumption of natural gas, only 4% of the country’s total primary energy consumption in 2011 was made up of gas. China is the world’s most populous country with a fast-growing economy. Healthy growth in the demand for natural gas in recent years, has led China to become the third largest LNG importer, causing accelerated development of its LNG and pipeline infrastructure. The country’s natural gas sector is expected to see significant growth from heavy investment in the sector and greater import opportunities.
China held 155 Tcf of proven natural gas reserves as of January 2014.
Netherlands
Production: 2.84 Tcf
The Netherlands is Europe’s second-largest producer and exporter of natural gas after Norway; producing about 2.9 Tcf in 2011. The country is an important refining and storage center, also serving as a transport hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Natural gas produced in the Netherlands is shipped via domestic and export pipeline systems, which connects to Belgium, German and the UK. The country’s natural gas fields are concentrated offshore in the North Sea, although some fields including Groningen (one of the ten largest natural gas fields in the world) are located onshore.
