Natural Gas Reserves By Country

World's Natural Gas Reserves: A Comprehensive Overview

Proven Gas Reserves by Country

Key Points

• As of 2021, Russia, Iran, and Qatar possessed the world's largest proven gas reserves.
• Proven reserves are determined through geological and engineering studies.
• This article presents a detailed chart showcasing natural gas data by country.

Natural gas, a vital fossil fuel, plays a significant role in global energy production. Its abundance and accessibility vary across countries, with some holding vast reserves while others face scarcity. This article delves into the world's proven natural gas reserves, examining the countries with the highest endowments and providing insights into production, consumption, exports, and imports.

Russia: A Natural Gas Powerhouse

Russia stands as the undisputed leader in proven natural gas reserves. Its massive reserves, estimated at 442 trillion standard cubic meters (Tscm), account for nearly 20% of the world's total. This abundance has positioned Russia as a prominent exporter, supplying gas to markets across Europe and Asia.

Other Major Gas Reserve Holders

Beyond Russia, several other countries possess substantial natural gas reserves. Iran, with an estimated 33 Tscm, ranks second globally. Qatar, with 24 Tscm, rounds out the top three. The United States, with 10 Tscm, and Turkmenistan, with 9.4 Tscm, also feature prominently.

Global Natural Gas Reserves: A Deeper Look

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of proven natural gas reserves, production, consumption, exports, and imports for 10 key countries:

| Country | Proven Reserves (Tscm) | Production (Tscm) | Consumption (Tscm) | Exports (Tscm) | Imports (Tscm) | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Russia | 442 | 764 | 560 | 212 | 0 | | Iran | 33 | 250 | 230 | 20 | 0 | | Qatar | 24 | 170 | 12 | 158 | 0 | | United States | 10 | 950 | 930 | 20 | 0 | | Turkmenistan | 9.4 | 88 | 50 | 38 | 0 | | Saudi Arabia | 8.2 | 100 | 60 | 40 | 0 | | United Arab Emirates | 7.4 | 65 | 25 | 40 | 0 | | Nigeria | 5.7 | 35 | 10 | 25 | 0 | | Venezuela | 5.6 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 0 | | Algeria | 4.5 | 100 | 30 | 70 | 0 |

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Per Capita Natural Gas Reserves

While total reserves provide an overall picture, per capita reserves offer insights into the distribution of gas resources relative to population.

Qatar boasts the highest per capita natural gas reserves, with an astounding 162,000 cubic meters (m³) per person. Turkmenistan follows with 15,700 m³ per capita, while Russia possesses 3,000 m³ per capita.

Conclusion

Natural gas reserves play a critical role in global energy dynamics. Russia dominates the global landscape, holding the largest proven reserves. Other countries, such as Iran, Qatar, the United States, and Turkmenistan, also possess significant reserves. The data presented in this article provides a comprehensive overview of the world's natural gas reserves, highlighting the countries with the largest endowments and offering insights into their production, consumption, exports, and imports.