World Energy Outlook 2011 Special Report: Are we entering a golden age of gas?

This special report in the World Energy Outlook 2011 series examines the key factors that could secure for natural gas a more prominent role in the global energy mix, and the implications for other fuels and climate change. It features a high-gas scenario, examining how natural gas supply and demand could respond to new impetus stemming from both market forces and government policies.

With benchmark data and projections at a regional and global level, the report provides insights into the:
• extent of the prospective growth in gas supply and demand;
• impact of increased natural gas use on demand for all competing energy sources;
• role natural gas could play in facilitating a low-carbon energy economy and in improving local air quality;
• way gas prices are evolving in different regional markets;
• geographic spread of gas resources;
• likely duration of the current gas glut; and
• implications for global gas trade and for gas-exporting countries.

Table of contents
Summary
Introduction
Section 1: The Golden Age of Gas Scenario
Building the scenario
Primary demand
Gas production
Inter-regional gas trade
Investment in gas production and transportation
Energy-related emissions
Implications of the GAS Scenario
Section 2: The potential to expand gas supply
Preconditions for the development of gas supplies
The gas resource base
Global supply trends
The global potential of unconventional gas
Environmental impact of gas production and transport
Expanding inter-regional transportation capacity
Pricing mechanisms and prices
Section 3: Will demand for gas keep pace with supply?
Factors driving demand for natural gas
Determination of fuel choices in key sectors
Emerging trends as an indicator of future gas demand
Section 4: Taking stock of future uncertainties
Projected gas demand in WEO-2010 New Policies Scenario
Sensitivity analysis of gas demand
Accounting for high-impact, low-probability events
Annex A: Units and conversion factors
Annex B: References