Natural gas is an energy source that has been serving the world for more than a century. It heats buildings, fuels electric power generators and serves as a raw material for many household products. It is an economical, environmentally friendly and efficient energy source, and demand for natural gas is growing throughout the world.

Natural Gas in Our Lives

Natural gas contributes to everyday life in many ways — heating and cooling homes and office buildings, providing the energy for water heaters and stoves, and as a raw material in many consumer products, including paint, ink, plastic, laundry detergent and medicine.

Increasingly, natural gas is the power behind the electricity that lights our cities and runs our appliances. Natural gas power plants produce electricity nearly 20 percent more efficiently than coal-fired plants.

Environmentally Friendly

In its pure form, natural gas is shapeless and odorless. When it is burned, it gives off a great deal of energy. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning conventional fuel, producing lower levels of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than heavier hydrocarbon fuels, such as coal or oil. Historically, natural gas has also been one of the most economical energy sources.

Plentiful Supplies

The planet has abundant quantities of natural gas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that natural gas resources worldwide are estimated at approximately 6,000 trillion cubic feet. Much of it is in countries where supply exceeds demand. Consumption of natural gas is growing globally and in many regions, such as the United States, domestic production alone cannot meet this increasing demand.

Fortunately, proven technologies exist to safely transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) across oceans to awaiting markets.