The 11 biggest natural gas companies in the world are the ones catering to the ever growing gas needs of the world. Simply put, natural gas is a form of fossil fuel and is a non-renewable source of energy. The world, right now, can do with all the energy it has available to it. Even though our technologies are becoming more sophisticated with every passing day, we are still extremely dependent on energy for all our day to day activities. Research is being directed towards discovery of alternate sources of energy and increased use of renewable energy, but non-renewable sources like natural gas are still one of the major contributors of all our energy needs.
Natural gas is extensively put to use in cooking and electricity generation. Stovetops that dispense natural gas are most commonly used for domestic cooking. However, natural gas has a host of other uses in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastics, fabrics and other products, the demand for which is ever-increasing. And, the depletion of the sources is a major concern of the industry. The U.S production in natural gas is said to have reached a peak in 1973.
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The biggest natural gas companies in the world also have the access to the largest resources. Some sources consider the largest reserves to be located in Russia while others argue that they are in Iran. Considering our list, some of the major players of the natural gas industry are based in these very countries. Gazprom in Russia which appears in the 10th position of our list is often considered to be the largest extractor in the industry.
Related industries include the oil industry and it is as important in terms of meeting the energy needs of the world. Do also check our other list of the 11 Biggest Oil Companies in the World to find out who the major player are in the oil industry.
Coming to the list we have at hand today, we have ranked the biggest natural gas companies by the revenues they generate. However, the scales they operate at are equally massive. Here’s the list!
11. Eni
Italy’s oil and gas company, Eni, is also the country’s largest industrial company with a market capitalization of 68 billion euros. The company has a customer base of over 2600 including power generation companies, distributors and wholesalers. The sales in 2012 amounted to 95.32 billion cubic meters.
10. Gazprom
As mentioned earlier, Gazprom is the largest extractor in natural gas and also has the largest gas transport system. Headquartered in Moscow, its major production fields are located in the Gulf of Ob and Yamal Peninsula, which are purported to become the company’s major gas producing areas in the near future. The company produced over 513.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2011 which amounted to 17% of the total world production.
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9. Total SA
The French multinational is also one of the six Big Oil companies of the world and its operations spans across the oil and gas industry. The company has over 893 subsidiaries and a number of other joint ventures in the in the areas of LPG and Natural gas.
8. Conoco Philips
The American player is the world’s largest independent pure-play exploration and production company and a significant contender in the energy industry. The company undertakes the exploration of natural gas globally and manages its operations through six operating segments.
7. Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation’s scope of activities ranges from exploration, producing, refining, marketing and transport of oil, gas and geothermal energy. The takeover of Unocal Corporation increased the company’s natural gas reserve by 15% in 2005. It operates over 11,000 oil and natural gas well in the U.S.
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6. Saudi Aramco,
Saudi Arabian national petroleum and natural gas company is said to be the world’s most valuable company, being valued between $1.25 trillion and $7 trillion. With it 100 oil and gas reserves and over 288 trillion standard cubic foot of natural gas reserves, it is definitely one of the biggest natural gas companies in the world.
5. China National Petroleum
The Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant is the largest integrated energy company in the country. The company has over 30 exploration and production projects internationally and in 2007 had a production of 54 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
4. Sinopec
Yet another Chinese player in the oil and gas industry, Sinopec is headquartered in Beijing, China. The company deals widely in the natural gas including import and export business in it as well as storage and pipeline transportation of the same.
3. BP
British Petroleum is the world’s fifth largest company in terms of market capitalization and has operations in over 80 countries. The company has a wide range of operations across the oil and gas industry.
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2. Royal Dutch Shell
Commonly known as Shell, the company headquartered in Netherlands is another one of the six major players in the oil and gas industry. The company has its operations located across 90 countries.
1. ExxonMobil
American oil and gas giant ExxonMobil has won many accolades including the 5th position among the world’s largest companies by revenue. It is also among the largest refiners in the world. And, the company’s solid presence in the natural gas area with sales of over 14 bcm ensures it’s also among the biggest natural gas companies in the world.
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