Expanding our presence in the global energy market, new data confirms America remains the world’s top natural gas producer, BP’s 2021 Statistical Review of World Energy announced last week.
Even with the pandemic-induced market changes of 2020, U.S. shale production accounted for about a quarter of the world’s total output of the critical fuel source, BP’s analysis shows. Moreover, American exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) increased 30% compared to 2019, and now make up about 13% of global LNG trade.
Let’s put that growth into perspective: U.S. LNG exports made up only 1% of global trade just five years ago, according to the statistical review.
Globally, the efforts to mitigate climate change have come with ambitious pledges to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy. To affordably and quickly meet such goals, more natural gas – a clean fuel source critical for grid reliability and resiliency– is needed.
As the data confirms, we can achieve both environmental progress and energy security, as energy-related carbon emissions in the U.S. declined 11% year over year amid surging production and use.
These undeniable environmental benefits plus its flexible nature has boosted global demand for natural gas, but policies designed to push gas out of the global energy market – both here and abroad – are threatening this progress and forcing unnecessary consumer burdens.
Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to meet rising global demands, but we need to build more infrastructure, grow LNG export terminals, and pass commonsense policies that recognize both the global need and fundamental benefits natural gas delivers.
The Appalachian region, in fact, is not just recognized for production and operational efficiency gains (Pa. alone topped 7.1 tcf in 2020, according to Pa. DEP), the basin continues to earn high environmental marks.
Methane intensity associated with development in Appalachia is the lowest – by far – among the top 9 hydrocarbon producing basins in the U.S., according to a joint report by the Clean Air Task Force and international sustainability group Ceres.
And a Rystad Energy analysis in April commended Appalachia as being “best in class” for having the lowest carbon dioxide intensity among all U.S. shale basins.
“Such a level of CO2 intensity performance brings Appalachia to the top quartile among all oil and gas fields globally,” said Rystad Energy Senior Analyst Emily McCain.
These operational and environmental achievements are the result of producers across Appalachia committed to innovation, efficiency gains, and top environmental performance.
“Appalachia is a world-class energy producing region that plays an essential role in meeting our nation’s and the world’s growing demand for affordable clean energy,” Marcellus Shale Coalition President David Callahan said.
“Through continuous operational performance improvements, technological innovations and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Pennsylvania’s natural gas producers continue to lead from the front. We’re proud of the exceptionally high environmental compliance rate the industry has earned, which directly reflects the dedication of the tens of thousands of hardworking Pennsylvanians that work across our sector.”
