Figure 7: Countries with largest proved natural gas reserves

Some of the largest gas fields are listed below:

♤ South Pars/North Dome – Persian Gulf, Iran and Qatar

♤ Urengoy – Siberian Basin, Russia

♤ Yamburg – Arctic circle, Russia

♤ Hassi R’Mel – Algeria

♤ Shtokman – Barents Sea, Russia

♤ South lolotan-Osman – Turkmenistan

♤ Zapolyarnoye – Russia

♤ Hugoton – USA

♤ Groningen – Netherlands

♤ Bovanenko – Russia

As measured by the International Energy Agency, the top 10 natural gas producers in 2011

were (66.7% of total):

♤ Russia (20.0%)

♤ United States (19.2%)

♤ Canada (4.7%)

♤ Qatar (4.5%)

♤ Iran (4.4%)

♤ Norway (3.1%)

♤ China (3.0%)

♤ Saudi Arabia (2.7%)

♤ Indonesia (2.7%)

♤ Netherlands (2.4%)

3.3.1. Shalegas

Shale gas is a natural gas produced from shale, a type of sedimentary rock. Due to constant announcements of shale gas recoverable reserves, as well as drilling in Central Asia, South America and Africa, deepwater drilling, estimates are undergoing frequent updates, mostly increasing. Since 2000, some countries, notably the US and Canada, have seen large increases in proved gas reserves due to development of shale gas, but shale gas deposits in most countries are yet to be added to reserve calculations. Some analysts expect that shale gas will greatly expand worldwide energy supply. Figure 8 shows the major shale gas fields of the word. China is estimated to have the world's largest shale gas reserves followed by USA, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, and Canada (table 5).