In 2018, the global gas market experienced a 4.8% growth in demand, with 70% of that growth coming from the United States and China. The growth in the global gas market can be attributed to increasing in conventional, as well as, relatively unconventional applications, such as Autogas (which experienced 40% increase in consumption in the 10 years). The gas market is connected to the oil market, but they do not necessarily follow the same trends as they have different market drivers; this is why the gas market experienced growth in demand while the oil market grew by 1%, between 2017 and 2018.
Where Does Natural Gas Come From?
A good starting point to understand the gas market will be from its source. Hydrocarbons - crude oil and natural gas, are formed due to the pressurization of decayed organic matter over millions of years. This occurs in a naturally occurring underground reservoir. Each reservoir has a range of hydrocarbon products in it, from natural gas (methane to butane, with the presence pentane to heptane), to crude oil, as well as asphalt. The Gas to Oil Ratio (GOR) determines whether the gas is referred to as Associated Gas (i.e. gas from an oil well) or Non-Associated Gas (i.e. gas from a gas well). The GOR used by the United States Energy Information Agency is 6,000 cubic feet (cf) of gas to 1 barrel (b) of oil (6000 cf/b). Therefore a well whose GOR equal to or less than 6,000 cf/b is an oil well, gas produced from that well is referred to as Associated Gas. The major products from the separation of hydrocarbon gas are Natural Gas (methane and ethane) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Figure 1. Natural Gas and its Products
Source: (GECF, 2016)
Gas Value Chain
Natural gas can be divided based on its constituents into different products, such as Natural Gas Liquids, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas, etc. These products might differ due to composition or physical state (e.g. liquid or gas).
There are different sectors in the petroleum industry which include:
Natural gas is produced then separated into different products with different (sometimes overlapping) applications, hence their different value chains.
Figure 2. Natural Gas Value Chain
Source: (GECF, 2016)
Figure 3. LPG Value Chain
Figure 4. LNG Value Chain
Source: (Hoegh LNG, 2020)
MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE GAS INDUSTRY
Oil and gas, as natural minerals, occur in different regions all over the world and are consumed in nations all over the world as well. The total recoverable (i.e. economically viable recovery) amount of oil and gas is referred to as oil and gas reserves, and they vary per country, with some countries having trillions of cubic meters of natural gas in their reserves and some countries having none. Two other factors measured are the annual production and annual consumption, which vary per country and also change with time due to economic reasons, or technology available, amongst other reasons. For instance, US crude oil production tripled between 2010 and 2020 due to the introduction of the hydraulic fracturing technology which made shale oil recoverable. Lastly, these activities are carried out by private companies and state-owned companies, sometimes in joint-ventures with each other. Certain companies have more presence globally than others (e.g. Shell operates in 70 companies globally) (Shell, 2020).
Figure 5. Top Ten Countries with the Highest Natural Gas Reserves
Source: (Central Intelligence Agency, 2020)
Figure 6. Top Ten Natural Gas Producing Countries 2017
Source: (Central Intelligence Agency, 2020)
The USA is the top consumer of Natural Gas, consuming 768 billion m3 of the 773 billion m3 it producers; thereby producing more than it consumes. Russia and China are also top consumers, consuming 468 billion m3 and 239 billion m3 respectively. Russia consumes 200 billion m3 less than it produces, while China consumes 93 billion m3 more than it produces. Total natural gas consumed by the top ten consuming countries was 2.29 trillion m3.
Figure 7. Top Ten Natural Gas Consuming Countries 2017
Source: (Central Intelligence Agency, 2020)
Figure 8. Top Ten Natural Gas Exporting Countries 2017
Source: (Central Intelligence Agency, 2020)
Figure 9. Top Ten Natural Gas Importing Countries 2017
Source: (Central Intelligence Agency, 2020)
The Nigerian Context
Nigeria has the 8th largest natural gas reserves in the world and has the 18th highest production rate. Nigerian natural gas products are mainly exported because local consumption is less than half of total production. This is caused by mainly economic factors. The Nigerian gas market holds the potential for profitable investment as it has been gradually expanding, with local consumption increasing from 573 million scf/d in 2004 to about 839.70 million scf/d in 2016 (NNPC, 2020).
Table 1. Nigeria’s Gas Parameters 2017
Source: Compiled from Central Intelligence Agency Reports.
As the world sees development in technology and economies, gas production and consumption will increase. Natural gas is also a (relatively) clean fuel source, helping with public perception. The gas market shows potential to expand and accommodate more investors and customers, the future of the gas market is bright.
KiakiaGas Limited is a leading Gas business in Lagos,Nigeria with expertise in LPG retailing, New Gas Market development, Building of Gas Plants and Gas strategy advisory
If you need a partner with hands-on local expertise in the Nigerian Gas space or any of our bespoke solutions/services, write us at gaspreneur@kiakiagas.com or call/Whatsapp: +2348085269328
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