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Which Countries Produce the Most Natural Gas? (Energy Institute Data)

Which Countries Produce the Most Natural Gas? (Energy Institute Data)
Published on: Feb 26, 2025
Author: Sunlight Xiang

According to the latest data from the UK-based Energy Institute, global natural gas production reached 4.05 trillion cubic meters (tcm) in 2023, a slight increase of 1 billion cubic meters compared to 2022. Despite accelerating energy transitions worldwide, natural gas remains a critical transitional fuel, with production patterns characterized by “U.S. dominance, Russian decline, and the rise of the Middle East and Asia.”

Global natural gas trade is undergoing rapid restructuring. The U.S. has strengthened its dominance in LNG exports, accounting for 25% of global production and 22% of consumption. Meanwhile, Europe’s gas demand and production have declined, while Russia faces long-term production challenges. China and India saw demand grow by 7%, with China overtaking Japan as the world’s largest LNG importer.

The Energy Institute predicts global gas demand will peak post-2040 but will remain essential for the fossil fuel transition in the short term.

2023 Top 10 Natural Gas Producers

Rank Country Production (Billion Cubic Meters)
1 United States 1,350
2 Russia 586.4
3 Iran 251.7
4 China 234.3
5 Canada 190.3
6 Qatar 181
7 Australia 151.7
8 Norway 116.6
9 Saudi Arabia 114.1
10 Algeria 101.5

Key Highlights by Country

  1. United States
  • Production: 1.35 tcm (25.5% of global output).
  • Growth: +4.2% year-on-year, maintaining its top position for a decade.
  • Drivers: Shale gas technology (horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing) boosted output. The Appalachia region contributed 29% of production. The U.S. is also the world’s largest LNG exporter, with 2024 exports projected at 86.9 million metric tons (≈114.4 billion cubic meters), filling Europe’s supply gap post-Ukraine conflict.
  1. Russia
  • Production: 586.4 billion cubic meters (-5.2% YoY).
  • Challenges: EU reliance on Russian gas plummeted from 45% in 2021 to 14% in 2023. To compensate, Russia pivoted to Asian markets (China, India). Gazprom controls 16.3% of global gas reserves, with future development focused on Yamal, East Siberia, the Far East, and Arctic offshore fields.
  1. Iran
  • Production: 251.7 billion cubic meters (+1.6% YoY).
  • Potential: Shares the world’s largest gas field (South Pars/North Dome with Qatar). Plans an $80 billion investment to boost capacity by 30% in five years. A 2024 deal with Russia secures 10.9 billion cubic meters annually, enhancing regional energy cooperation.
  1. China
  • Production: 234.3 billion cubic meters (+5.6% YoY).
  • Demand & Imports: Output has surged 92.3% since 2013 but still meets only half of domestic demand. Key suppliers include Australia, Turkmenistan, the U.S., Malaysia, Russia, and Qatar.
  1. Canada
  • Production: 190.3 billion cubic meters.
  • Export Reliance: Exclusively pipelines gas to the U.S. LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink projects (operational by mid-2025) will open Asian markets. Threats of a 10% U.S. tariff on energy imports have spurred calls for pipeline expansions.
  1. Qatar
  • Production: 181 billion cubic meters (world’s 3rd-largest LNG exporter).
  • Expansion: Aims to raise North Field gas capacity to 142 million metric tons/year by 2030. The North Field West expansion will add 16 million tons/year of LNG.
  1. Australia
  • Production: 151.7 billion cubic meters.
  • Export Strength: Added 113 billion cubic meters of output since 2009. LNG export capacity ranks 2nd globally, but aging fields require new investments to avoid shortages by 2028.
  1. Norway
  • Production: 116.6 billion cubic meters.
  • Europe’s New Pillar: Supplied 30.3% of EU gas imports in 2023, replacing Russia. Output may dip 1.6% in 2025, but 37 new exploration blocks aim to sustain supply.
  1. Saudi Arabia
  • Production: 114.1 billion cubic meters.
  • Transition Goals: Plans to begin gas exports by 2030. Developing the Jafurah unconventional field (Saudi Aramco’s $12.6 billion investment) to replace oil in power generation.
  1. Algeria
  • Production: 101.5 billion cubic meters (+4% YoY).
  • European Alternative: 85% of exports go to Europe. Partnerships with ExxonMobil and Baker Hughes (2024) aim to boost output amid EU diversification from Russian gas.

Global Trends

  • Demand Divergence: Global consumption grew just 0.5% in 2023, with Europe’s 6.9% decline (renewables and nuclear growth) offset by China, Africa, and the Middle East.
  • Geopolitical Shifts: Russia’s EU exit accelerates supply chain reconfigurations, benefiting the U.S., Qatar, and Norway.
  • Green Transition: Despite short-term demand resilience, renewable policies may constrain long-term gas growth.

The Energy Institute notes that future gas markets will grow more regionalized, with producers balancing geopolitical risks and energy transition pressures.

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