Natural gas still powers a huge share of energy systems, but the momentum is now split between growth in supply infrastructure and the policy push to cut emissions. This post pieces together the latest datapoints from energy demand forecasts and LNG buildouts to US pipeline and storage metrics, then pulls in methane and CO2 indicators to show what “cleaner gas” looks like in practice. You will see why 2024 LNG trade projections and US power generation gains can sit uncomfortably alongside gradual flaring reductions and methane leakage estimates.
Key Takeaways
- 7.5% of the world’s final energy consumption in 2022 was supplied by natural gas
- The IEA estimates global natural gas demand will grow from 2022 levels through 2026 in its Stated Policies scenario
- In 2023, natural gas accounted for 39% of US electricity generation
- US EIA data show pipeline construction and replacement in 2023 included 13,000 miles of pipeline-related activity (aggregate) for regulated systems
- EIA reports US working gas storage capacity of 3,620 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of 2024
- In 2023, the average US pipeline natural gas unaccounted-for gas (UFG) was 1.6% of delivered volumes, per EIA pipeline data
- In 2023, global LNG liquefaction capacity additions were on the order of 50 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) per Energy Institute analysis
- BP’s Statistical Review shows global production of natural gas at 4.0 trillion cubic meters in 2023
- The IEA LNG Market Report 2024 projects global LNG trade to reach 430 million tonnes in 2024
- Natural gas (including LNG and pipeline gas) provides more than 20% of total primary energy worldwide, according to BP’s Statistical Review
- In 2023, the Netherlands produced about 16 bcm of natural gas, per Ember/Natural gas supply series cited through ENTSOG balance reports
- The Henry Hub spot price averaged $3.65 per MMBtu in 2022
- Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are estimated at about 3% of sector production value in the IEA’s 2023 analysis of methane emissions
- In 2022, the average methane intensity (kg CH4 per kg gas) for the global oil and gas sector was about 0.05% of production by mass (IEA methane intensity ranges)
- The US EPA estimates methane emissions from natural gas systems at about 6.7 million metric tons (MMT) CO2e in 2022
Natural gas still powers much of the world today, but demand and emissions ambitions are set to reshape it.
Related reading
Industry Trends
17.5% of the world’s final energy consumption in 2022 was supplied by natural gas[1]
Single source
2The IEA estimates global natural gas demand will grow from 2022 levels through 2026 in its Stated Policies scenario[2]
Directional
3In 2023, natural gas accounted for 39% of US electricity generation[3]
Verified
4In 2023, natural gas was 37% of total US energy consumption[4]
Single source
5In the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario, global natural gas demand falls to about half of 2022 levels by 2050[5]
Verified
Industry Trends Interpretation
From an industry trends perspective, natural gas is already delivering 7.5% of the world’s final energy in 2022 and remains central to power and consumption in the US at 39% of electricity generation and 37% of total energy in 2023, yet the IEA projects demand growth through 2026 in its Stated Policies scenario and then a sharp transition in its Net Zero pathway as global demand falls to about half of 2022 levels by 2050.
Performance & Reliability
1US EIA data show pipeline construction and replacement in 2023 included 13,000 miles of pipeline-related activity (aggregate) for regulated systems[6]
Verified
2EIA reports US working gas storage capacity of 3,620 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of 2024[7]
Verified
3In 2023, the average US pipeline natural gas unaccounted-for gas (UFG) was 1.6% of delivered volumes, per EIA pipeline data[8]
Verified
4Modern natural gas combined-cycle plants can achieve 60%+ electrical efficiency per US EPA’s AP-42 emission factor guidance context[9]
Directional
Performance & Reliability Interpretation
For performance and reliability, the US is sustaining system capability with 3,620 Bcf of working gas storage in 2024 and only 1.6% pipeline unaccounted for gas in 2023 while still scaling infrastructure with 13,000 miles of pipeline related activity.
More related reading
Production & Trade
1In 2023, global LNG liquefaction capacity additions were on the order of 50 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) per Energy Institute analysis[10]
Verified
2BP’s Statistical Review shows global production of natural gas at 4.0 trillion cubic meters in 2023[11]
Directional
3The IEA LNG Market Report 2024 projects global LNG trade to reach 430 million tonnes in 2024[12]
Verified
Production & Trade Interpretation
For the Production and Trade side of the natural gas market, the combination of 4.0 trillion cubic meters of global gas production in 2023 and IEA forecasts for LNG trade rising to 430 million tonnes in 2024 comes alongside Energy Institute estimates of about 50 mtpa in 2023 LNG liquefaction capacity additions, signaling rapid scaling of export capability.
Market Size
1Natural gas (including LNG and pipeline gas) provides more than 20% of total primary energy worldwide, according to BP’s Statistical Review[13]
Verified
2In 2023, the Netherlands produced about 16 bcm of natural gas, per Ember/Natural gas supply series cited through ENTSOG balance reports[14]
Directional
Market Size Interpretation
Natural gas is a major global market driver, supplying over 20% of total primary energy worldwide, while the Netherlands alone produced about 16 bcm in 2023.
More related reading
Cost Analysis
1The Henry Hub spot price averaged $3.65 per MMBtu in 2022[15]
Verified
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In 2022, the Henry Hub spot price averaged $3.65 per MMBtu, offering a clear benchmark for understanding natural gas costs across the year under cost analysis.
Environmental & Safety
1Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are estimated at about 3% of sector production value in the IEA’s 2023 analysis of methane emissions[16]
Verified
2In 2022, the average methane intensity (kg CH4 per kg gas) for the global oil and gas sector was about 0.05% of production by mass (IEA methane intensity ranges)[17]
Verified
3The US EPA estimates methane emissions from natural gas systems at about 6.7 million metric tons (MMT) CO2e in 2022[18]
Verified
4US EPA’s eGRID reports that average CO2 emissions rate for natural gas plants was about 0.84 metric tons per MWh in the most recent reporting years[19]
Single source
5In 2021, natural gas accounted for 35% of US electricity-related CO2 emissions reductions in the power sector compared with coal, per US EIA analysis[20]
Verified
6IEA reports that global gas flaring is reduced only gradually; 2022 flaring volume was still about 4 billion cubic meters per day[21]
Directional
7The US EPA estimates that leaking methane from natural gas systems contributes to about 2.0% of US greenhouse gas emissions (on a methane-to-CO2e basis in its inventory framing)[22]
Verified
Environmental & Safety Interpretation
Environmental and safety risks from natural gas remain meaningful because methane leakage and related impacts are still substantial, with methane emissions estimated at about 3% of oil and gas production value in the IEA’s 2023 analysis and leaking methane contributing roughly 2.0% of US greenhouse gas emissions in the EPA’s inventory framing.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Natural Gas Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/natural-gas-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Natural Gas Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/natural-gas-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Natural Gas Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/natural-gas-statistics.
References
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- 14ember-climate.org/app/uploads/2024/06/Ember-Digital-Energy-Data-2024.xlsx
- 2iea.org/reports/gas-2023
- 5iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050
- 12iea.org/reports/lng-market-report-2024
- 16iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2023
- 17iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2024
- 21iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2023
- 3eia.gov/electricity/monthly/
- 4eia.gov/energyexplained/us-energy-facts/
- 6eia.gov/naturalgas/annual/
- 7eia.gov/naturalgas/storage/
- 8eia.gov/naturalgas/data.php
- 15eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdm.htm
- 20eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=51618
- 9epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/chp.pdf
- 18epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
- 19epa.gov/egrid
- 22epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks
- 10energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/4932/World-LNG-Report-2024.pdf
- 11bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-of-world-energy-2024-full-report.pdf
- 13bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html