The whole developing story unfolds at energy factor.exxonmobil.com
To understand why natural gas is poised to become an even more predominant fuel in the 21st century, one has to also understand how the world is getting richer. This is especially true across large parts of Asia and China where, in a relatively short time, millions of people joined the ranks of the middle class.
This economic expansion is igniting unprecedented consumption of energy as people tap some of their disposable income to purchase automobiles, refrigerators, or televisions, all of which require energy to operate. More and more of that energy is slated to come from natural gas, whether it be used to fuel power generation plants or even trucks and buses in the form of liquefied natural gas or compressed natural gas.
Between 2014 and 2040 global GDP will more than double.
The growing role for natural gas will help cut CO2 intensity.
Some of the natural gas will be shipped across oceans as LNG. Some will be transported via large regional pipeline networks. (Ed. Note: Richard Young & Co. Ltd. specializes in pipeline investments)
Most of the gas be produced locally, in places like the Marcellus and Barnett Shales in the U.S., helping ensure reliable, affordable energy to support broad-based economic prosperity and thousands of well-paid jobs.