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Gas usage shrinks, boosts coal demand

India, the fourth largest energy consumer globally, recorded the largest volumetric decline in natural gas production and consumption last year, BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2014 said on Monday.

Natural gas production in the country fell by a massive 16.3 per cent to 33.7 billion cubic metres (bcm) from 40.3 bcm in the previous year.

India, which is world’s 11th largest consumer of gas, saw consumption fall by 12.2 per cent to 51.4 bcm in 2013 from 58.8 bcm in the previous year.

On both counts, India “recorded the largest volumetric decline in the world,” it said.

However, it recorded the second largest volumetric increase in coal consumption on record and accounted for 21 per cent of global growth.

While coal production was up 0.1 per cent at 228.8 million tonne of oil equivalent, consumption soared 7.6 per cent to 324.3 million tonnes.

The review said India’s oil production was almost unchanged at 894,000 barrels per day (42 million tons) while consumption was up 1.2 per cent at 3.72 million bpd (175.2 million tons).

World natural gas consumption grew by 1.4 per cent, below the historical average of 2.6 per cent.

“Growth was below average in every region except North America. China (10.8 per cent) and the US (2.4 per cent) recorded the largest growth increments in the world, together accounting for 81 per cent of global growth,” it said.

Globally, natural gas accounted for 23.7 per cent of primary energy consumption and its production grew by 1.1 per cent, which was well below the 10-year average of 2.6 per cent.

“Growth was below average in all regions except Europe and Eurasia. The US (1.3 per cent) remained the world’s leading producer, but both Russia (2.4 per cent) and China (9.5 per cent) recorded larger growth increments in 2013,” it said.

The 63rd annual review by BP said coal dominated world energy markets last year, supplying the biggest share of demand since 1970.

Coal’s share of global energy use reached 30.1 per cent, just below the 32.9 per cent share for crude oil, which lost market share for a 14th consecutive year. Natural gas accounted for 23.7 per cent of world primary energy use.


Source: The Asian Age