The world's natural gas taps are wide open, producing a staggering 4,047 billion cubic meters in 2022, driven by North American shale innovation and massive Middle Eastern expansion.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, global natural gas production totaled 4,047 billion cubic meters (bcm), a 3.2% increase from 2021 driven by higher output in North America and the Middle East
- World natural gas production grew by 97 bcm or 2.5% in 2021 to reach 3,950 bcm, with the United States contributing 26% of the global total
- In 2020, global dry natural gas production was approximately 132.3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) per year, impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns reducing demand
- US dry natural gas production averaged 102.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2023, a record high surpassing 100 Bcf/d for the full year
- In 2022, US marketed natural gas production reached 38.1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), up 5% from 2021, driven by Permian and Appalachia basins
- Texas led US natural gas production with 30% share in 2023, producing over 30 Bcf/d from shale plays like Eagle Ford and Permian
- Russia produced 589 bcm of natural gas in 2023, down 10% from 2021 due to Ukraine war sanctions
- Qatar's North Field produced 177 bcm of natural gas in 2022, world's largest single source, 80% for LNG
- Iran produced 256 bcm of natural gas in 2022, mostly for domestic use, with South Pars field at 750 mcm/d
- Global natural gas production grew from 2,500 bcm in 2000 to 4,000 bcm in 2020, CAGR 2.3%
- US natural gas production doubled from 18 Tcf in 2005 to 36 Tcf in 2020 due to shale revolution starting 2008
- World gas production peaked at 3,956 bcm in 2019 before 2020 COVID dip of 4%
- Hydraulic fracturing accounted for 70% of US gas wells by 2015, up from 10% in 2000
- Global shale gas recovery factor improved to 15% by 2023 via longer laterals averaging 10,000 feet
- US Permian multi-well pads now drill 16 wells per pad, boosting efficiency 40% since 2018
Global natural gas production increased in 2022, led by higher output in North America and the Middle East.
Global Production Statistics
- In 2022, global natural gas production totaled 4,047 billion cubic meters (bcm), a 3.2% increase from 2021 driven by higher output in North America and the Middle East
- World natural gas production grew by 97 bcm or 2.5% in 2021 to reach 3,950 bcm, with the United States contributing 26% of the global total
- In 2020, global dry natural gas production was approximately 132.3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) per year, impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns reducing demand
- OECD countries accounted for 38% of global natural gas production in 2022, totaling about 1,538 bcm, while non-OECD nations produced 62%
- Global natural gas production capacity utilization averaged 82% in 2022, with peak production rates exceeding 400 bcm per quarter
- In 2023, global LNG production linked to natural gas reached 404 million tonnes, equivalent to 566 bcm of gas, up 5% from 2022
- Total world marketed natural gas production in 2021 was 4.1 trillion cubic meters, with pipeline gas dominating at 85% of output
- Asia-Pacific region's natural gas production contributed 18% to global totals in 2022, approximately 728 bcm
- Global associated gas production from oil fields was 1,200 bcm in 2022, representing 30% of total natural gas output
- In 2019 pre-pandemic, global natural gas production hit a record 3,956 bcm, growing at an average CAGR of 2.1% from 2010-2019
- Europe’s natural gas production fell to 144 bcm in 2022, just 4% of global production amid declining North Sea output
- Global unconventional natural gas production reached 1,200 bcm in 2022, accounting for 30% of total supply
- In Q4 2022, worldwide natural gas production averaged 11.1 trillion cubic feet per day (Tcf/d), up 4% year-over-year
- Latin America produced 120 bcm of natural gas in 2022, 3% of global total, led by Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale
- Global flared gas volumes associated with production were 148 bcm in 2022, equivalent to 5% of total production
- Africa’s natural gas production was 210 bcm in 2022, 5% globally, with Nigeria and Algeria as top producers
- In 2023 forecast, global natural gas production to rise 2.6% to 4,152 bcm, per IEA scenarios
- Middle East produced 1,025 bcm of natural gas in 2022, 25% of world total, dominated by Qatar and Iran
- Global dry gas production growth slowed to 1.5% in 2023 due to European cuts, totaling around 4,100 bcm
- Russia’s share of global natural gas production was 17% in 2022 at 689 bcm, down from 20% pre-2022
- Global natural gas production per capita averaged 0.5 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2022 across 8 billion population
- China’s natural gas production hit 207 bcm in 2022, 5% of global, with 10% YoY growth from shale
- In 2021, global natural gas production efficiency improved to 95% recovery rates in major fields
- North America produced 1,250 bcm in 2022, 31% of world natural gas output, led by US shale boom
- Global LNG liquefaction capacity for natural gas was 480 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2023
- In 2020, pandemic reduced global gas production by 4% or 160 bcm from 2019 peaks
- Australia’s LNG exports from gas production reached 81 mt in 2022, 20% of global LNG trade
- Global natural gas production costs averaged $2.50 per MMBtu in 2022, varying from $1 in US to $5 in Europe
- Southeast Asia gas production was 180 bcm in 2022, 4.5% global, with Indonesia leading at 70 bcm
- In 2023, global gas production from tight formations exceeded 1,500 bcm annually, 37% of total
Global Production Statistics Interpretation
The world, still thirsting for gas despite green ambitions, managed to pry open the taps a bit wider in 2022, reaching a staggering 4 trillion cubic meters, though this progress was ironically powered by the usual suspects in North America and the Middle East while Europe's own supplies dwindled and a troubling amount was still simply set on fire.
Historical Production Trends
- Global natural gas production grew from 2,500 bcm in 2000 to 4,000 bcm in 2020, CAGR 2.3%
- US natural gas production doubled from 18 Tcf in 2005 to 36 Tcf in 2020 due to shale revolution starting 2008
- World gas production peaked at 3,956 bcm in 2019 before 2020 COVID dip of 4%
- Russia output rose from 550 bcm in 2000 to 700 bcm in 2019, then fell post-2022
- Qatar LNG production grew from 10 mt in 2000 to 77 mt in 2019, 700% increase
- Norway gas exports tripled from 40 bcm in 1995 to 120 bcm in 2022
- Global shale gas production from zero in 2000 to 1,000 bcm in 2020, 25% share
- China gas production up 500% from 25 bcm in 2000 to 190 bcm in 2020
- US Permian basin gas from 2 Bcf/d in 2010 to 20 Bcf/d in 2022
- Australia LNG from 0 to 80 mt 2000-2020, overtaking Qatar temporarily
- Middle East gas production doubled 600 bcm in 2000 to 1,200 bcm in 2020
- Europe production declined 20% from 200 bcm in 2005 to 160 bcm in 2020
- Canada gas output stable 150-170 bcm 2000-2020, then shale boost
- Global LNG trade volume from 100 mt in 2000 to 400 mt in 2020
- Iran production from 100 bcm 2000 to 250 bcm 2019, sanctions cap growth
- US Appalachia gas from 1 Bcf/d 2005 to 30 Bcf/d 2020, Marcellus driver
- World flared gas reduced 10% from 140 bcm 2010 to 124 bcm 2020
- Algeria production flat 90-100 bcm 2000-2020 despite reserves
- Global dry gas production per capita up 20% 2000-2020 to 0.48 toe
- Turkmenistan from 50 bcm 2005 to 70 bcm 2020, Galkynysh discovery 2006
- Nigeria LNG from 5 mt 2000 to 22 mt 2020, gas supply doubled
- UK North Sea gas down 80% from 100 bcm 2000 to 20 bcm 2020
- Indonesia production halved 70 bcm 2000 to 35 bcm 2020
- Global rig efficiency for gas up 300% 2000-2020, fewer rigs higher output
- Saudi gas doubled 60 bcm 2000 to 120 bcm 2020, non-associated growth
- Egypt gas from 20 bcm 2010 to 60 bcm 2020, Zohr 2015 discovery
- US total gas production record 37 Tcf 2023 vs 19 Tcf 2008 low
- Horizontal drilling length avg from 3,000 ft 2000 to 12,000 ft 2020 globally
- World gas reserves-to-production ratio stable 50 years 2000-2020
- Fracking stages per well from 10 in 2008 to 50 in 2020 US average
Historical Production Trends Interpretation
While the traditional titans like Russia maintained a steady, formidable presence and Europe’s own fields dwindled, the global gas landscape was fundamentally redrawn by the American shale revolution and the meteoric rise of LNG exporters like Qatar and Australia, proving that ingenuity and geography can together flood the market even as some wells run dry.
Production Technologies and Methods
- Hydraulic fracturing accounted for 70% of US gas wells by 2015, up from 10% in 2000
- Global shale gas recovery factor improved to 15% by 2023 via longer laterals averaging 10,000 feet
- US Permian multi-well pads now drill 16 wells per pad, boosting efficiency 40% since 2018
- LNG liquefaction efficiency reached 95% energy recovery in Qatar trains using APCI process
- Horizontal drilling productivity in Marcellus shale hit 30 MMcf/d IP rates with 45-stage fracs
- Sour gas sweetening via amine absorption removes 99.9% H2S in Middle East plants processing 100 mcm/d
- Subsea compression tech in Norway's Aasta Hansteen field boosts recovery by 20% to 50 bcm total
- Proppant loading in US fracs averaged 2,500 lbs/ft in 2023, up from 1,000 in 2015
- Floating LNG (FLNG) vessels like Prelude process 3.6 mtpa gas with 92% uptime
- Enhanced oil recovery with CO2 miscible injection increases associated gas by 15% in Permian
- Coalbed methane dewatering tech extracts 90% water before gas flow in Powder River basin
- Digital twins optimize gas plant operations, reducing downtime 30% in ADNOC facilities
- Supercritical CO2 fracturing trials in Sichuan shale tripled permeability vs water fracs
- Geosteering with LWD tools achieves 95% lateral placement accuracy in Haynesville
- Nitrogen foam fracturing enables 20% higher proppant placement in low-pressure gas wells
- Automated drilling rigs cut US gas well drilling time from 30 to 15 days since 2020
- Membrane separation tech recovers 98% NGLs from raw gas streams pre-pipeline
- Seismic inversion AI predicts sweet spots, boosting Montney drilling success to 85%
- Acid gas injection for disposal sequesters 10 mt CO2/year in Fort Nelson BC field
- Multiphase flow metering eliminates test separators, real-time gas rate accuracy 2%
- Ceramic proppants withstand 15,000 psi closure in deep Eagle Ford gas wells
- Electrically driven frack pumps replace diesel, cutting emissions 40% in basins
- Fiber-optic DTS monitors frac propagation in real-time, optimizing stage spacing
- Stratigraphic pinchout targeting in Vaca Muerta adds 25% EUR per well
- Cryogenic distillation separates helium from natural gas at 99.999% purity in Algeria
- Swab trucks recover 50% more load gas post-frac vs traditional methods
Production Technologies and Methods Interpretation
We've relentlessly engineered our way into a world where the hidden rock is now a pliant, prolific partner, conquered not by brute force but by a million brilliant, incremental gains.
Production by Major Countries
- Russia produced 589 bcm of natural gas in 2023, down 10% from 2021 due to Ukraine war sanctions
- Qatar's North Field produced 177 bcm of natural gas in 2022, world's largest single source, 80% for LNG
- Iran produced 256 bcm of natural gas in 2022, mostly for domestic use, with South Pars field at 750 mcm/d
- Canada’s natural gas production reached 172 bcm in 2023, led by Montney and Duvernay shales at 15 Bcf/d
- Norway produced 122 bcm of natural gas in 2022, 95% exported via pipelines to Europe, Troll field key
- Saudi Arabia's gas production was 117 bcm in 2022, all associated from Ghawar oil field, master gas system
- Turkmenistan output hit 65 bcm in 2023, Galkynysh field world's second largest at 30 bcm/year
- UAE produced 93 bcm in 2022, ADNOC expanding sour gas from Bab and Asab fields
- Australia produced 147 bcm equivalent in 2022, mostly LNG from Gorgon and Ichthys projects
- China produced 220 bcm in 2023, up 7%, Sichuan basin shale adding 20 bcm
- Algeria exported 50 bcm pipeline gas in 2022, total production 99 bcm from Hassi R'Mel
- Malaysia's gas production was 55 bcm in 2023, Petronas fields in Sabah and Sarawak
- Nigeria flared 5.3 bcm but produced 40 bcm total in 2022, NLNG at 22 mtpa
- Indonesia produced 52 bcm in 2022, down 5%, Tangguh LNG expansion planned
- Egypt's gas output peaked at 59 bcm in 2022, Zohr offshore field at 15 bcm/year
- Kazakhstan produced 25 bcm in 2023, Tengiz and Karachaganak fields via JV
- Uzbekistan gas production 22 bcm in 2022, declining 3% from mature fields
- Bolivia produced 15 bcm in 2023, 70% from San Alberto and San Antonio
- Oman output 40 bcm in 2022, Khazzan-Makarem shale at 12 bcm capacity
- Thailand produced 35 bcm in 2023, Erawan field declining, seeking new concessions
- Azerbaijan gas production 18 bcm in 2022, Shah Deniz stage 2 at full 16 bcm
- Bangladesh output 25 bcm in 2023, Bibiyana field dominant at 10 bcm
- Pakistan produced 28 bcm in 2022, Sui field legacy but declining 8%
- Yemen gas 10 bcm in 2023 despite conflict, Marib field operational
- Argentina's Vaca Muerta produced 40 bcm gas in 2023, up 20%, Fortin de Piedra key
- Brazil output 15 bcm in 2022, pre-salt fields ramping
Production by Major Countries Interpretation
While Russia's sanctions-driven production slump has forced Europe to dance to a different tune, the global gas stage is now a chaotic opera where Qatar's North Field belts out the loudest aria, Norway diligently pipes the backup vocals, and a chorus of rising shale stars from Canada to Argentina are scrambling for the spotlight.
United States Production Statistics
- US dry natural gas production averaged 102.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2023, a record high surpassing 100 Bcf/d for the full year
- In 2022, US marketed natural gas production reached 38.1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), up 5% from 2021, driven by Permian and Appalachia basins
- Texas led US natural gas production with 30% share in 2023, producing over 30 Bcf/d from shale plays like Eagle Ford and Permian
- Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale produced 7.3 Tcf of natural gas in 2022, 20% of US total, with daily output averaging 22 Bcf/d
- US associated gas production from oil wells was 18 Tcf in 2022, 48% of total dry gas output, linked to Permian crude boom
- Louisiana's natural gas production hit 4.5 Tcf in 2023, boosted by Haynesville shale hydraulically fractured wells
- Oklahoma produced 2.8 Tcf of natural gas in 2022, with Anadarko basin contributing 60% via horizontal drilling
- US LNG export capacity from production reached 14.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by end-2023, with 12 plants operational
- In Appalachia region, US gas production grew 4% to 35 Bcf/d in 2023, led by wet gas rich zones in Utica shale
- Permian basin dry gas production averaged 23 Bcf/d in 2023, 23% of US total, with flaring reduced to 1.2%
- Colorado's DJ basin produced 1.2 Tcf in 2022, up 10% YoY from Niobrara formation completions
- US rig count for natural gas drilling averaged 120 rigs in 2023, down from 150 in 2022 but productivity per rig up 15%
- Wyoming's Jonah field produced 0.8 Tcf in 2023, with multi-well pads boosting efficiency to 5 MMcf/d per well
- Bakken shale in North Dakota contributed 1.5 Bcf/d gas in 2023, 70% associated with oil
- US Gulf of Mexico offshore gas production was 0.9 Tcf in 2022, down 5% due to field declines
- New Mexico's Permian gas output reached 10 Bcf/d in Q4 2023, surpassing Texas in some months
- US shale gas production totaled 28 Tcf in 2023, 75% of total dry gas, with EUR per well averaging 8 Bcf
- Ohio Utica shale produced 2.5 Tcf in 2022, with lateral lengths averaging 12,000 feet
- West Virginia Marcellus output was 3 Tcf in 2023, infrastructure constraints limiting growth to 2%
- US natural gas production from coalbed methane fell to 0.5 Tcf in 2022, 1.3% of total
- Haynesville shale productivity hit 15 Bcf per well in 2023 for top quartile operators
- Alaska's North Slope gas production stable at 1.1 Tcf/year in 2023, awaiting LNG project
- US federal offshore California gas output declined to 20 Bcf in 2022 from maturing fields
- Eagle Ford shale gas production averaged 6.5 Bcf/d in 2023, with 40% liquids content
- US gas gathering throughput reached 100 Bcf/d in 2023, up 10% with Permian buildout
- Fayetteville shale in Arkansas produced 0.4 Tcf in 2022, down 15% YoY from depletion
- US total proved reserves of natural gas stood at 625 Tcf at end-2022, supporting production
United States Production Statistics Interpretation
While America's natural gas industry is breaking production records with the relentless efficiency of a Texas shale rig, this powerhouse output remains a geographically lopsided affair, tethered to a handful of prolific basins and increasingly dependent on the crude oil rideshare program known as associated gas.
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