In this article, we are going to list the 15 biggest natural gas companies in the world. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 5 biggest gas companies in the world.
Natural gas has been gaining more popularity as an energy source because it helps the world with two major things: first, it reduces the adverse global impact of climate change, and second, it is a cheaper alternative to fossil fuel (until such time that zero-carbon-emitting renewables can take over) which helps economic development. Natural gas is environmental-friendly because it emits 50% less carbon dioxide than coal when you burn it thus they call it “clean fuel”.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transport. This is where the effective use of natural gas comes in. The use of natural gas instead of coal to produce electricity can dramatically reduce air pollution. On the other hand, natural gas is also a strong player for hydropower, offering a reliable source of electricity when there is inadequate rainfall. If you are interested in promoting sustainable energy, you may read on the 10 best climate stocks to buy now for more information.
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As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas has accounted for nearly one-third of the total increase in energy demand over the last decade, more than any other commodity, accounting for approximately 23% of the world’s primary energy demand. According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, Russia holds 19% of the world’s natural gas reserves with a total proved resource of 38 TCM (1,341 trillion cubic feet). While the US accounts for a 6.5% share of natural gas reserves worldwide with a proven resource of 12.9 TCM (455 trillion cubic meters). You would notice that some of the 15 largest gas companies in the US are present on our list of the world’s biggest natural gas companies as the US is one of the largest countries that produce natural gas. In 2019, the US generated almost a quarter of the world’s natural gas supply – about 921 bcm – more than any other country.
In 2019, the global output of natural gas reached a new peak, reaching the mark of 4 Tcm for the first time with the production of 4 088 Bcm. After the financial crisis, natural gas production has steadily increased at an annual growth rate of 2.7%. Natural gas was less heavily impacted than oil and coal, but there was still a drop in demand during the COVID-19 crisis. Global demand for gas dropped by an estimated 4% year-on-year in the first half of 2020 due to the combination of the Covid-19 crisis and the unusually warm winter in the northern hemisphere. The strict lockdown measures and low electricity demand due to business closures have impacted the demand for natural gas as well. Is it the universe telling us that the natural gas industry is about to flunk? One thing is certain if consumption returns to its pre-pandemic state by next year, the natural gas demand is expected to recover progressively.
With that, we are providing you today the list of the biggest natural gas companies in the world ranked by revenue, market cap, and assets we sourced from Forbes. These values will give us the most accurate ranking in determining the biggest natural gas key players in the world and we’ll start it with number 15:
15. Conocophillips (NYSE: COP)
Revenue: $29.5 billion
Market Cap: $42.8 billion
Assets: $65 billion
Headquarter: Houston, TX, USA
One of the largest gas producers in the US is also distributing natural gas globally. ConocoPhillips was founded in 1917 and operates in 29 countries, primarily North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. ConocoPhillips is involved in the production, advancement, transport, and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas worldwide.
