{
  "id": "R41543",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R41543",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
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      "id": 454565,
      "date": "2016-07-26",
      "retrieved": "2016-11-28T21:51:40.089875",
      "title": "Natural Gas: A Key Part of the Global Energy Mix",
      "summary": "The role of natural gas in the U.S. economy has been a major part of the energy policy debate in the 114th Congress. This report briefly explains key aspects of global natural gas markets, including supply and demand, and major U.S. developments.\nNatural gas is considered by some as a potential bridge fuel to a lower-carbon economy, because it is cleaner burning than its hydrocarbon alternatives coal and oil. Natural gas combustion emits about one-half less carbon dioxide than coal and one-quarter less than oil when consumed in a typical electric power plant, although fugitive gas emissions offset some of the advantages. Natural gas combustion also emits less particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides than coal or oil. Additionally, improved methods to extract natural gas from shale formations have significantly increased the resource profile of the United States, which has spurred other countries to try to develop shale gas. If the United States and other countries can bring large new volumes of natural gas to market, particularly unconventional natural gas, then natural gas could play a larger role in the world\u2019s economy. Several key factors will determine whether this happens, including price, technical capability, environmental concerns, and political considerations. Many countries, both producing and consuming, are watching how the development of U.S. unconventional natural gas resources evolves.\nKey Points\nNatural gas is likely to play a greater role in the world energy mix given its growing resource base and its relatively low carbon emissions compared to other fossil fuels.\nThe world used 122,442 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas in 2015, of which the United States consumed 27,463 bcf (the most of any country). \nWorld natural gas consumption in 2015 grew by 1.7%, which was below the 10-year average of 2.3% but above the 0.6% increase in 2014; U.S. consumption grew by 3%.\nU.S. unconventional natural gas reserves and production, particularly shale gas, have grown rapidly in recent years. The United States accounts for 89% of global shale gas production.\nThe new shale gas resources have changed the United States\u2019 natural gas position from a net importer to a potential net exporter. Other countries are now exploring their own shale gas resources.\nGlobal trade in natural gas is increasing and new players are entering on both the supply side and the import side, making the global gas market more integrated.",
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      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4812,
          "name": "Fossil Energy"
        },
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4813,
          "name": "International Energy & Natural Resource Issues"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 416040,
      "date": "2010-12-22",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T01:18:23.321894",
      "title": "Global Natural Gas: A Growing Resource",
      "summary": "The role of natural gas in the U.S. economy is expected to be a major part of the debate over energy policy in the 112th Congress. This report briefly explains key aspects of global natural gas markets, including supply and demand, as well as major U.S. developments.\nNatural gas is considered a potential bridge fuel to a low carbon economy because it is cleaner burning than its hydrocarbon rivals coal and oil. Natural gas combustion emits about two-thirds less carbon dioxide than coal and one-quarter less than oil when consumed in a typical electric power plant. Natural gas combustion also emits less particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides than coal or oil. Additionally, improved methods to extract natural gas from certain shale formations has significantly increased the resource profile of the United States, which has spurred other countries to try to develop shale gas. If the United States and other countries can bring large new volumes of natural gas to market, then natural gas could play a larger role in the world\u2019s economy. Several key factors will determine whether significant new quantities of natural gas come to market, particularly unconventional natural gas resources. These factors include price, technical capability, environmental concerns, and political considerations. Many countries, both producing and consuming, are watching how the development of U.S. unconventional natural gas resources evolves.\nKey Points:\nNatural gas is likely to play a greater role in the world energy mix given its growing resource base and its relatively low carbon emissions compared to other fossil fuels.\nThe world used over 100,000 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas in 2009, of which the United States consumed almost 23,000 bcf, the most of any country. Between 2008 and 2009, world consumption declined about 2.6%, while U.S. consumption dropped 1.6%, or 388 bcf.\nIn 2009, almost 84% of the natural gas the United States consumed was from domestic production. Another 14 % of consumption was met with Canadian imports. Liquefied natural gas (LNG), mainly from Trinidad & Tobago and Egypt, comprised just 2% of consumption.\nU.S. unconventional natural gas reserves and production, particularly shale gas, have grown rapidly in recent years. In 2009, shale gas reserves increased 76%, while production rose 47%, according to a recent U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report. The new shale gas resources have changed the U.S. natural gas position from net importer to potentially a net exporter. Other countries are now exploring their own shale gas resources.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economic Policy",
    "Energy Policy"
  ]
}