Increasing Demand for
Natural Gas
Viewed regionally, the African continent had the fastest
rate of growth in consumption, with an increase of
9.1% in 1999. Africa has a growing potential not only
as a market for natural gas, but as a producer.
The transfer of technology from industrialised nations
to developing countries will play an important role
in balancing increasing consumption with the need
for reducing emissions from fossil fuels. As a relatively
abundant, economically feasible and cleaner fossil
fuel, natural gas has many benefits for developing
countries, especially as population migration from
rural areas to urban centres puts increasing loads
on urban airsheds. Foreign capital investment will
be essential for developing the appropriate infrastructure,
where required, and expanding existing infrastructures.
The International Gas Union (IGU), which represents
both developing and industrialised countries, provides
an ideal venue to foster the co-operative spirit required
to take advantage of these development opportunities.
Market instruments, such as the Clean Development
Mechanism proposed by the Kyoto Protocol, would deliver
the incentive for industry to act on the opportunities.
In short, the current increase in demand for natural
gas is not a short-term scenario. Rather, the gas
industry is experiencing steady growth on a world-wide
basis, which is likely to continue for many years
to come. The challenge is to ensure that the focus
is not just on meeting the demands of an expanding
market, but on reducing harmful emissions and achieving
greater efficiencies in the production and consumption
of natural gas.
