US Prepares to Adopt Natural Gas as Fuel of Future, According to GlobalData

14 Aug 2012 • by Natalie Aster

A growing dependence on natural gas will see the US introduce 27 new storage sites by the end of 2016, states a new report by international energy analysts GlobalData.

The report "Underground Gas Storage in North America - Market Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2016" by GlobalData explains that as the US plans to generate up to 80% of its electricity through gas-fired plants by 2035, the working capacity of its underground storage network will increase from 4,650,122MMcf in 2011 to 4,970,022MMcf by 2016.

According to GlobalData’s 2011 figures, the US already has the largest number of active underground gas storage sites in the world, with 405.

US production of natural gas has increased significantly over recent years due to the exploitation of shale plays, even leading to overproduction in 2011 and a resulting price drop. The boost in production has prompted plans in the US to hugely improve natural gas pipeline infrastructure, which will in turn create demand for storage sites necessary in maintaining the reliability of the pipelines.

As natural gas cannot be utilized immediately upon production it must be stored underground for a period of time. The bulk of this is stored in depleted oil and gas field type sites (84.8% in 2011), but this is set to change as alternative salt cavern type sites become more prevalent due to the faster rate at which gas can be withdrawn.

Report Details:

Underground Gas Storage in North America - Market Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2016
Published: June, 2012
Pages: 68
Price: US$ 3.995,00

This proliferation of natural gas storage sites during the period 2011-2016 will favour the salt cavern varieties, which will take a share of 70.4% of the total planned gas storage sites in North America during this period. These more efficient locations will make up 19 of the 27 new storage sites expected by 2016.

More information can be found in the report “Underground Gas Storage in North America - Market Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2016” by GlobalData.

To order the report or ask for sample pages contact [email protected]

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