Energy from natural gas
Natural gas is the world’s third-largest energy source after
coal and oil.
The biggest sources of natural gas are found in the United States, Russia and the Middle East. 
A natural process
A fossil fuel like coal and oil, natural gas is made from plants and other organisms trapped beneath the surface of the Earth. Under intense pressure and high temperatures, these organisms have been transformed over millions of years.
Natural gas and the environment
Natural gas is cleaner than coal and oil. When incinerated, the carbon dioxide emissions are lower than with coal and oil – and almost all that is produced is carbon dioxide, steam and nitric oxide.
The future
In 2008, natural gas accounted for 23% of the EU’s electricity generation mix, as compared to the world total of 21%. The global energy demand for natural gas is expected to increase by the year 2030, representing an annual growth rate of 1.5% – though natural gas’s share of total energy demand is not expected to increase. Over 80% of the growth is expected to occur in countries that are not OECD members.
Share of natural gas used to generate electricity:
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