With consumption growing by average of almost 3% a year for more than 30 years, natural gas has posted the most impressive gains of any fossil fuel. According to the International Energy Agency, it may grow by more than 50% by 2030.

Gas has a number of advantages that explain its growing popularity. Its abundant known reserves, estimated at 180 trillion cubic meters, should cover 60 years of consumption at the current rate of demand. As a “clean” fuel, its combustion releases fewer greenhouse gases than oil or coal. A flexible energy, gas is available continuously to end users, whether in their homes, public or private buildings, or industry. An efficient energy, it delivers very unmatched energy performance in the latest-generation power plants, lowering both energy consumption and air emissions.

With more than 60 years of natural gas experience, here at Total, the world’s fourth-largest listed gas producer, we are deploying our expertise to expand the sector. Because driving growth effectively requires proficiency across the entire natural gas chain. Gas markets have recently undergone radical changes, with physical flows becoming more complex as new consumer countries emerge and nations whose domestic production has dried up turn to imports. The ability to plan enormous industrial development projects must be matched by an ability to recommend innovative solutions for marketing the gas discovered. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a perfect example. Liquefying the gas and shipping it by LNG carrier is the most efficient way to unlock the value of large reserves discovered far from major consumer areas.

Supporting steadily rising demand in the power generation segment — the main driver of natural gas’ growth — Total is also very involved in the promising field of gas-fired power plants.