A group of countries rich in natural gas. Gas production in Russia: the world sales leader is not going to lose ground

Today it is difficult to imagine life without gas - it heats houses, makes it possible to cook food, heats water, it is used to move vehicles, and businesses use it in their activities. However, this type of mineral resource is classified as non-renewable and its resources are limited. Now it is difficult to calculate the total world reserves, since, according to some assumptions, a large part of the deposits has not yet been explored. It belongs to the Jurassic stages, which lie very deep in the earth's crust - this is supposedly 120 trillion cubic meters of gas.

According to proven deposits, there are about 173 trillion cubic meters natural gas. Such impressive, at first glance, figures also indicate that these reserves, given the steadily growing volume of consumption, may only last for 65 years. This figure is worth thinking about in order to consume this resource more economically.

Gas pipelines

General picture of the geography of gas fields

In terms of the volume of blue fuel deposits in the world, a completely clear picture is observed. List of leading countries in gas production, according to OPEC, in 2015:

USA (729.529 billion m3 per year, accounting for 20.46% of total world production);
Russia (642.917 billion m 3 per year - 18.03%);
Iran (212.796 billion m 3 per year - 5.97%);
Qatar (174.057 billion m 3 per year - 4.88%);
Canada (161.274 billion m3 per year - 4.52%);
China (128.481 billion m 3 per year - 3.6%);
Norway (111.014 billion m 3 per year - 3.11%);
Saudi Arabia (102.380 billion m3 per year - 2.87%);
Algeria (83.296 billion m3 per year - 2.34%);
Netherlands (70.190 billion m3 per year – 1.97%).

This does not mean that the presence of its own rich deposits provides the country with leadership in fuel export volumes. And here we see a completely different picture, the list of export-oriented countries in 2015:

Russia (196 billion m3 per year);
Qatar (113.7 billion m3);
Norway (107.3 billion m3);
Canada (88.29 billion m3);
Netherlands (74.06 billion m 3);
Algeria (52.02 billion m 3);
USA (45.84 billion m3);
Turkmenistan (41.10 billion m3).

A separate rating has been compiled for countries that have significant shale gas deposits; it consists of several minerals, mainly chlorite, actinolite, sericite, and muscovite. Shale rock easily splits and forms reservoirs - spaces that fill with gas.

The composition is predominantly methane, but it is quite difficult to extract; for this it is necessary to remove large volumes of soil. This is a very costly and economically unprofitable method of extraction. However, technologies do not stand still, they are constantly being improved and there is a possibility that in the near future we will find a way to reduce the cost of shale gas production. Among the countries with promising shale deposits, the leading ones can be identified:

Russia;
Ukraine;
Poland;
Hungary.

USA

Gas production station in the USA

The undisputed leader in both natural and shale gas deposits is the United States of America.

For the first time on industrial level They began to extract blue fuel in 1821 near New York. Today, the largest deposits are recognized as Red Hawk, Ticonderoga, and Tender Horse in the Gulf of Mexico. According to proven data, there may be 20 billion cubic meters of fuel here. But the leader in terms of volume is the field in Alaska – Point Thompson. It is estimated that there are more than 3 trillion cubic meters. It is from here that the United States is building a gas pipeline to the very heart of the country - Washington, construction is planned to be completed by 2018.

Russia

Gas production station in Russia

The bulk of the actively developed and most promising fields in Russia are concentrated in Yamal - this is the western part of Siberia, as well as in Sakhalin and the Far East.

The most promising deposits are considered to be on the shelves of the Barents and Kara seas. The largest deposits to date are recorded in the Urengoy field - 16 trillion cubic meters. All exploration and production work is carried out by a monopoly company - Gazprom.

Iran

For comparison, we provide statistics from 2014.

According to experts, the Islamic country of Iran has 16% of the world's blue fuel reserves. The largest deposits are located on the shelf of the Persian Gulf, as well as in the northeastern part of the country.

Iran is Russia's main competitor in terms of exports to EU countries. In the near future, construction of a northwestern pipeline running through Turkey, Iraq and Syria is underway. Currently, active construction is underway on a gas pipeline connecting Iran with Pakistan and India, its completion is scheduled for 2019.

Qatar

One of the smallest countries in the world is one of the leaders in terms of gas deposits - 26 trillion cubic meters. The largest deposit on the entire planet was discovered in Qatar - the Northern Dome; its volume will be enough for the country to produce for 150 years. The Qatari government sees the main markets for fuel sales in the EU countries; this will require the construction of a pipeline that will pass through Turkey and Syria.

Possible gas pipeline from Qatar to Europe

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a leading country not only in gas production, but also in oil production. The largest deposit is considered to be Tukhman, it is located in the middle of the Rub al-Khali desert, the approximate volume of deposits is estimated at 1 billion cubic meters. The plans for the next ten years in the gas production industry are to increase production volumes, however, it is assumed that exports will be insignificant, all produced gas will be used for domestic consumption.

How does a shale gas well work?

Turkmenistan

60% of gas production occurs in the CIS countries, incl. Turkmenistan

The country has the second largest natural gas field - Galkynyshe, its industrial development began in 2013. Near the city of South Yolotan there is another large deposit in the country - Yolotan.

In this regard, the Turkmen government plans to annually increase production volumes (up to 83 billion cubic meters) and exports (up to 48 billion). By expert assessments The country contains up to 20 trillion cubic meters of blue fuel. The main exporters are Poland, Hungary, Ukraine.

Algeria

Main regions by natural gas reserves on earth

On the African continent, only two countries have huge reserves of natural gas - Algeria and Nigeria. Algeria is on the list of world gas-producing leaders; according to experts, the country's gas reserves reach 4.5 trillion cubic meters, but these are only proven reserves.

Previously, exploration work took place at a slow pace due to lack of funding, but has recently intensified; since 1990, the volume of discovered reserves has doubled and continues to grow.

The largest deposit is Hassi-Rmel, followed by Gurd-Nus, Nezla, Wend-Numkr. Natural gas is here high quality, cleared of slag, and the deposits are not tied to oil deposits.

Norway

Gas production by country from 1985 to 2014.

Significant reserves are concentrated in Norway liquid fuel, ¾ of the total volumes of Western Europe. The deposits are mainly located in the North Sea; proven fuel volumes here amount to 765 billion cubic meters.

According to preliminary data from a study of the water area, gas reserves here may be several times greater. Quite recently, significant deposits of blue fuel were discovered in the Arctic Circle, where volumes can reach 47.7 trillion cubic meters. Mining companies in Norway were the first to use floating drilling rigs, the largest platform has a displacement of 1 million tons and a height of 465 meters. Gas and oil production provides jobs to 17 thousand people in the country.

Canada

Gas resource availability in Canada for 13 years

The country ranks among the top five world leaders in terms of natural fuel production volumes. The largest deposits are located in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia; the most promising deposits are considered to be those in the Western Canadian Basin, on the shelf of the east coast, near the island of Newfoundland.

The main consumer of Canadian fuel is the United States; a pipeline connecting the two countries has long been built and operated. Canada is an export-oriented country for natural gas; most of the produced fuel is sold - 88.29 billion m3, with domestic consumption volumes of 62.75 billion m3 (according to 2015 data).

China

The country has huge deposits of blue fuel and is among the top ten leaders in terms of production volumes. China has deposits both on land and on the shelf of the seas that surround it.

Thus, the Yacheng field has 350 billion cubic meters of gas deposits and is located in the South China Sea. The Tarim Basin has natural gas volumes, according to confirmed data - 500 billion cubic meters. Gas layers occur at a depth of 4 km and belong to the Achimov stage. The bulk of the extracted fuel remains for domestic consumption and only 2.8 billion cubic meters is exported.

Video: Natural gas production

Using natural gas is an important part of life modern man. It warms our homes in winter, gives us the opportunity to cook food and bathe in warm water, with its help transport moves and large enterprises operate. There will be no blue fuel - collapse will occur. Despite the huge reserves of gas in the world, it is necessary to use the resource wisely and productively, so that many generations after us can also enjoy the benefits of civilization.

World gas reserves (2014)

No matter how many cubic meters of blue fuel the planet contains in its depths, you need to be careful and economical when extracting and consuming it. The resource is not replenished and is not formed on its own. Therefore, sooner or later it may end.

No one will tell you the exact amount of gas hidden under the layers of the earth. But according to some experts, we can talk about 173 trillion in proven reserves. About 120 trillion more are supposedly hidden far from our eyes, and the hand of man has not yet reached the secret wealth. This blue fuel should only last humanity for 65 years. Where are the largest gas reserves in the world? A table compiled by experts will help us answer this question.

It should be noted that there are countries that have the largest reserves in the world. These are the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Germany and other European countries.

Russia

Our country has the richest deposits of this resource. As shown in the table, the estimated volume of blue fuel ranges from 31 trillion cubic meters to almost 50. In percentage terms, we own from 24 to 40 percent of all existing gas reserves on Earth.

More than half of promising resources Russian Federation located in the western region of Siberia, more than a quarter - on the shelves of the Kara and Barents seas. Some of the predicted deposits are concentrated in the seas of the Far East and the Arctic, as well as in the Asian part of the country. As for the explored ones, two-thirds are hidden in the depths of the Yamalo-Nenets Okrug. The European part of the Russian Federation accounts for only 10%. These are the largest gas reserves in the world that exist.

Blue fuel is the third largest in the world. In total, it holds 16 trillion cubic meters. is carried out by the Gazprom enterprise, which supplies the product to many European countries.

Iran

The most large reserves In addition to Russia, this Islamic republic also has the most natural gas in the world. According to general estimates, this is about 16% of the entire resource existing on the planet. The most important deposits are in the northeast and offshore of the Persian Gulf. The state plans to build the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

The world's proven gas reserves are large, and Iran owns the lion's share of them. Therefore, I am ready to compete with Russia for the supply of resources to Europe. The authorities of the Islamic Republic are going to release blue fuel to the northwest. There are many route options: through Turkey, Syria, Iraq or the Caucasus. Although Iran's Deputy Minister of Oil and Gas Ali Majedi called the first proposed branch the most promising.

Construction of the gas pipeline will be completed in 2019. Delivery will begin then. Turkey will receive 6 billion cubic meters of blue fuel annually as a transit country, and Europe will receive almost twice as much of the resource.

Qatar

The small state, which not everyone can find on a world map, has very large gas reserves. In the world it is the third largest in the number of hidden cubic meters of blue fuel in the bowels of the earth. This is approximately 24-26 trillion m³. Based on the above figures, the country can easily produce gas for the next 150 years. Here is one of the largest deposits on the planet - the Northern Dome.

Recently, Qatar has been looking for opportunities to export to the European Union. Just like for Iran, the best corridors for this state pass through Syria and Turkey. While negotiating with the leadership of these countries on transit, the Qatari authorities dream of worthy of competing with Russia and even surpassing it in terms of the amount of transported blue fuel. And this is quite real. The country actively produces oil and gas. The world's reserves of these resources are distributed in such a way that Qatar accounts for the lion's share. The value of deposits in this territory is estimated at 10 trillion dollars, which is twice as much as those of Iran and Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Turkmenistan

Gas reserves in countries around the world are arranged in such a way that this particular state occupies fourth place in our ranking. And he has every chance to break into the top three, since in 2015, the country’s President Garbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the government to increase resource production to 83 billion cubic meters, and exports to 48.

The country actively supplies blue fuel to China, as well as, paradoxically, to Iran and Russia. Now the construction of a new TAPI gas pipeline is also starting in the state.

Large gas reserves are hidden in the depths of the giant gas and oil field in Turkmenistan - Galkynysh. There are few such places in the world. Its operation began relatively recently - in 2013. The country also has large deposits of the resource near the city of Iolotan, named after this settlement- Southern Iolotan.

USA

This country primarily has the largest shale gas reserves in the world. It is extracted from and consists largely of methane. The first commercial well was drilled here in 1821 in New York. Since then, the United States has become one of the leaders in the extraction of this resource on the planet.

The largest gas reserves in the United States are in the Gulf of Mexico. These wells are: Red Hawk, discovered in 2002, as well as Ticonderoga and Tender Horse, both of which contain 20 billion cubic meters of gas. At the same time, Point Thompson, which is part of the oil and gas basin of northern Alaska, has remained a real giant since 1965. Here the bowels of the earth contain 3 trillion m³. The country is building a gas pipeline to transport the resource. It will stretch from Point Thompson to the very Pacific coast, and from there to the heart of America - Washington.

Experts say the field could supply 7% of the United States' annual demand. It is expected that construction of the gas pipeline will be completed in 2018, at which time its full operation will begin.

Saudi Arabia

More than a quarter of proven oil reserves are located here. In total, this is about 260 billion barrels. This country is also the main regulator of oil prices in the world and the leader of OPEC.

As for gas, over the next 10 years the country will double its production. No export supplies are expected; the resource will only meet the internal needs of the state. Currently, the largest gas field is Tukhman, located in the center of the Rub al-Khali desert. The initial reserve here is estimated at 1 billion cubic meters. The resource lies at a depth of five kilometers.

Although Saudi Arabia is one of the ten gas giants of the world, it still “feeds” itself mainly from oil. She is the one who owns the largest oil field in the world - Gavar. 65% of the country's total oil is produced here. For example, in 2006, 6.5% of world oil production was brought to the surface in Gavar alone. There are natural deposits here, millions of m³ are mined every day.

UAE

214 trillion cubic meters are reliable gas reserves. In the world, the Emirates hold a leading position in this area: 4% of all global resource deposits. It is mainly mined in Abu Dhabi. The company of the same name controls 90 percent of the state’s gas reserves.

According to experts, the UAE also ranks 5th in the world in oil sales. The country is a member of OPEC; its oil reserves will last more than 100 years. 66 billion barrels - this is exactly how much the bowels of this fertile Arab land contain. The industry is also controlled by the national company Abu Dhabi.

United United Arab Emirates is the richest country in the world and a leading economic center. From 1970 to today increased 20 times. The main trading partners are: Italy, Germany, Great Britain, South Korea and Japan. UAE also interesting country. She chose absolute neutrality, both in relation to the West and her native East.

Venezuela

Natural gas reserves in the world are large, and the Bolivarian Republic owns part of them. It takes an honorable eighth place in our ranking of gas giants. Of the 146 trillion cubic pounds, a third is classified as "possible." The state is taking part in the development of blue fuel deposits on the shelf together with companies from Russia, China, Algeria and Malaysia.

In the western hemisphere of the planet, it is in Venezuela that the largest oil reserves are concentrated - about 75-80 billion barrels. Although the government claims that these figures have been reduced several times. Be that as it may, in Latin America this is the No. 1 state in the production of black gold. It is a member of OPEC and one of the most powerful oil exporters on the planet.

Venezuela is not only a well-known leading exporter of important natural resources, but also claims to take first place in the ranking of the most developed and successful countries Latin America. And this despite all its conflicts with the United States, the bordering Antilles and neighboring Colombia.

Nigeria

Gas reserves across the countries of the world were distributed in such a way that two African states also made it into the TOP 10 largest gas empires. In ninth place we have Nigeria - the No. 1 power on the “dark” continent in terms of proven reserves of blue fuel. About 5 trillion cubic meters of resource are hidden in the bowels of the earth. In terms of its exports, Nigeria ranks 7th in the world, which is also a good result.

The land also has oil deposits. It ranks second after Libya in the number of proven reserves of valuable barrels. But in terms of volumes of black gold exports in Africa, it has no equal. Nigeria actively sells the resource to Western Europe, the USA, India and Brazil. She is an honorary member of OPEC.

Algeria

The largest gas reserves in the world are located in the depths of this African land. And although the state is only 10th in the list of countries with large deposits of blue fuel, it is 5th in the ranking of the most productive and active producers of this resource. Experts cite the figure of 4.5 trillion m³ - these are proven gas reserves. There are few states in the world that can boast of such results.

Most of the blue fuel deposits in Algeria are gas free from oil caps, or that which is found in gas fields. The rest of the resource (about 15%) is dissolved in oil, namely in the main Hassi Messaoud black gold deposit. The largest gas field is Hassi-Rmel, other known points of resource extraction are Nezla, Gurd-Nus and Wend-Numer. From 1990 to the present day, proven reserves of blue fuel in Algeria have doubled, which turned out to be the result of active geological work.

As we can see, there are enough gas reserves on the planet. But this does not relieve us of responsibility for their economical and correct use for the benefit of subsequent generations.

Summed up the results of natural gas production by country in 2015.

In general, global natural gas production amounted to 3,538.6 billion cubic meters in 2015 (about 3.5 trillion cubic meters), production growth compared to 2014 was 2.2%.

For reporting period production in the EU countries decreased by 8% to 120.1 billion cubic meters. Production in the CIS countries decreased by 0.6% to 751.6 billion cubic meters.

Gas producers in the world, 2015	billion cubic meters	Change by 2014






Norway
Saudi Arabia

Indonesia
Turkmenistan
Malaysia
Australia
Uzbekistan




Netherlands
Pakistan

United Kingdom
Trinidad and Tobago
Argentina

Venezuela

Bangladesh
Brazil


Azerbaijan






Kazakhstan
Colombia


Germany

Calendar

May 27-27, 2016
Russian gas market. Exchange trading
St. Petersburg, Kempinski Moika 22

Exchange trading of gas can become effective tool improving the gas supply system in Russia.

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Press releases

Laboratory non-destructive testing ISK PetroEngineering conducted more than 13 thousand inspections in 2018
In 2018, the non-destructive testing laboratory of ISK PetroEngineering conducted more than 13 thousand inspections of equipment parts and identified about 100 hidden metal defects that could lead to accidents. All equipment used in drilling wells in various regions undergoes quality control. The largest number of hidden defects are detected in equipment that is tested in the Ural-Volga region, which is due to geological structure local deposits and equipment operating modes. The laboratory has several methods in its arsenal: visual-measuring control, ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing.

Energy is the main “food” of the economy; the life support of any country depends on it. For each state, the lack of natural energy resources becomes a compelling reason for the development of new alternative energy sources. Although, in fairness, it should be noted that the existing types of fuel, oil, gas, coal and nuclear power, will retain their status as the main types of energy production for a long time.

And in this sense, it is difficult to overestimate the role of the gas industry. The development and production of gas in Russia, as well as its supply to the world market, have brought the country to a leading position. Although Russia is very generously endowed with this type of raw material, it did not acquire such a role right away.

But before we get acquainted with the history of active gas development on the territory of the Russian Federation, let's talk about the place given to natural gas in the world.

Blue fuel on planet Earth

In terms of natural gas production, more than a quarter of the world's volume belongs to the United States, which at the end of 2016 remains the undisputed leader. In second place is Russia with a volume of about 20% total production ten leading regions.

Rice. 1. World leaders in natural gas production based on the results of 2016, billion cubic meters. meters
Source: website promdevelop.ru

But being on the list of leaders in gas production does not mean leadership in global fuel trade. According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, only eight of them are export-oriented.

Rice. 2. Leaders of world gas trade, 2016
Source: website promdevelop.ru

Main mining areas

The map shows the geography of distribution largest places gas production throughout globe. It is believed that there are 20 of these on the planet - the largest gas fields, with gas reserves of about 1200 billion cubic meters. meters.

4 in the USA - in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska;
9 in the regions of Western Siberia, the Far East and Sakhalin, the shelves of two seas - the Barents and Kara in the Russian Federation;
2 fields within Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf;
1 in the southern regions of Turkmenistan;
3 in Algeria and Nigeria;
1 in the Tari Basin of China.

There are also large deposits in the North Sea of Norway and on Canadian lands within the island of Newfoundland in the northern provinces, including the shelf of the Western Canadian Basin.

Of course, the main deposits are concentrated in the territories of the leading countries in the production of this resource.

Rice. 3. Location of the largest gas fields
Source: website promdevelop.ru

According to information published by OPEC, all state-owned fields contain no more than 180 trillion cubic meters. meters of gas. There are still at least 120 trillion of unexplored reserves and inaccessible for global production due to their too great depth. So, the remaining reserves, in conditions where the consumption of blue fuel is constantly growing, will be used up in the next 65 years.

Gas extraction methods

Natural gas is extracted from the depths of the earth using wells:

under natural pressure (removal of impurities in such gas later occurs at a gas processing plant or at a special station);
from coal mines (in the practice of coal mines in the States to prevent explosions);
hydraulic fracturing (it is believed that this method can provoke an earthquake, therefore it is prohibited in some countries);
under water (at shallow depths, high piles are installed, at greater depths - floating ones, and at particularly deep ones, above 3000 m - semi-submersible platforms with a drilling derrick in the center).

Natural gas production in the Russian Federation

The gas industry plays a strategic role in the Russian economy. And for its budget, the export of natural gas is included in the list of fundamental items. played a role large number deposits of this combustible fuel, innovative technologies, used on them, and extensive reserves of minerals in the depths.

But the history of the gas industry has not been easy.

Origins

In the absence of natural gas production in Russia, gas supply to cities before the revolution was carried out artificially. It was called "luminous". It was obtained at gas factories by dry distillation from coal and used for domestic purposes and city lighting. The first such enterprise was founded in St. Petersburg in 1835, and the raw materials for it were delivered from abroad. This is how the Russian gas industry was born.

In 1855, the German Bunsen invented the gas burner, and in 1865, a gas plant was built in Moscow, and in 1891 there were already thirty such plants in Russia, not counting 180 low-power gas generating plants. And yet this was significantly less than in the main capitalist countries of the world. There were about 600 gasworks in Great Britain alone.

With the discovery of natural gas deposits, which is much more economical than artificial gas, the gas supply system had to begin the transition to a natural fuel resource.

The first discoveries were unsystematic. This includes the release of gas with hydrogen sulfide along with water at a depth of 112 meters, when water wells were drilled in the Astrakhan region (1840). And gas output on the Absheron Peninsula, in Saratov, Melitopol, etc. when drilling water wells.

Oil production was gaining momentum, and along with oil it came into contact with its constant companion - associated petroleum gas (APG). Boiler houses in Baku and Grozny were the first to use it as fuel in 1880. Petroleum gas gradually became increasingly used for domestic and industrial needs.

Development of the gas industry

This is the name given to the period since 1922, when the gas fountain began to flow in Surakhany. There were Baku oil producing companies in Baku that became interested in this event and began drilling wells for gas. Metal pipes were already used in industry, and here gas extracted from wells was supplied through them to refineries, where it was used as fuel in oil refining.

In the 20s in the young Soviet Russia there were only 5 gas fields:

"Dagestan Lights";
Melitopol;
Melnikovskoe;
Stavropol;
Surakhanskoe.

They produced about 15 million cubic meters. meters per year. Then, after Civil War, and planned natural gas exploration began.

And artificial gas began to be used for heating, and food was cooked with it. It (coke, blast furnace, generator) was obtained from brown and hard coal, oil shale, wood and peat.

And although the first gas-gasoline plant appeared in Baku in 1923, natural gas had not yet been appreciated. The situation changed with the creation of Glavgaz in 1933. One after another, new, purely gas fields were discovered in Komi:

"Sedelskoe" (July 1935);
"Voyvozhskoe" (1943);
"Nibel" (1945).

In the Saratov region during the war:

"Elnashskoye";
"Kurdyumskoe",

And also in the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories, Kuibyshev, Orenburg regions, the North Caucasus, Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, etc.

Even built right before the start of the Great Patriotic War the country's first gas pipeline (20 cm in diameter, 68 km in length) from the Dashavskoye gas field to Lvov, in 1943 - the gas pipelines Pokhvistnevo - Kuibyshev, Elshanka - Saratov, Buguruslan - Kuibyshev, Kurdyum - Knyazevka and others, and in 1944 start of construction main gas pipeline Saratov - Moscow.

It’s not for nothing that Saratov residents consider their hometown the cradle of the Russian gas industry. Firstly, it was here that natural gas was obtained in 1906, which became fuel in the brick and glass factories built by the owner of the farm, where the same artesian well for water was actually drilled. And the field itself was named Melnikovsky (Dergachevsky), only gas reserves here have already dried up today.

Secondly, the famous monograph by Academician I.M. Gubkin “Ural-Volga or Eastern Oil-bearing Region” appeared, and in its brief summary in “Technology of Youth” in 1939, this region of the Lower Volga region was called the “Second Baku”.

Thirdly, with the launch in July 1946 of the main gas pipeline, the first in the country, Saratov-Moscow, the history of “big gas” began in Russia.

Rice. 4. Give me a gas pipeline!
Source: website ibirzha.kz

And even though it emerged as an independent branch of the national economy from the oil industry only in 1956, the domestic gas industry has the right to consider July 11, 1946, its birthday, when the natural gas that burned in the apartments of Muscovites replaced:

1,000,000 cubic meters of firewood;
650,000 tons of coal;
150,000 tons of kerosene;
100,000 tons of heating oil.

The country's fuel industry has finally replaced firewood, coal and peat with gas.

In addition, new gas fields of Western Siberia, unique in composition and reserves, were discovered. Their development was not easy: wetlands, permafrost, harsh climate

Rice. 5. Legendary gas project - construction of the Bukhara-Ural gas pipeline 1961
Source: website ura.news

The year 1966 was a turning point for the country's economy. Deliveries begin Soviet gas to many countries.

"Natural gas finds wide application as cheap raw materials in chemical industry and economical type of fuel in ferrous metallurgy and other industries"
(1967 publication of the Central Statistical Office of the RSFSR “RSFSR for 50 years”).

The fields of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan (Karachaganak field) and Turkmenistan played a significant role in the history of the Soviet gas industry. They are still among the largest today. But by the time of the collapse of the USSR, production in the territory of the former RSFSR reached 75% of the total volume of blue fuel produced in the country, and from 6.2 billion cubic meters. m increased to 727.4 billion.

Rice. 6. Share of the Russian Federation in gas production of the USSR
Source: Rosstat (collections of the Central Statutes of the USSR and the RSFSR, Goskomstat)

The industry did not escape the well-known crisis of 1998. The crisis was overcome. There's something new on the market joint stock company Gazprom, which produces and transports gas in modern Russia, which today is not just one of, but also the largest player in the global gas production market.

Rice. 7. Gas giant PJSC Gazprom
Source: website contrpost.bosenko.info

Inextricably linked with this holding modern period gas industry.

Modernity

The industry would never have been so important and profitable if it were not for the huge reserves of said fuel on which it is based. At the same time, Russian blue fuel is now the cheapest in Europe.

Gazprom announced the current cost of gas production. Now it is at $20 per 1000 cubic meters. m is the most low rate in the world" (Vedomosti, June 2016).

Deposits and reserves

It is estimated that Russian gas reserves are about 200 trillion cubic meters. meters, and by 2030 more than 800 billion cubic meters will be produced. meters per year (for reference: in 2016 this figure was 641 billion), which allows us to meet our own needs and export a significant amount of it.

Rice. 8. Natural gas reserves in the Russian Federation
Source: website promdevelop.ru

The leader in production remains Western Siberia. This is the main gas production area in Russia, the most important link in domestic gas production, where 90% of this combustible fuel is produced. If we talk about Russian regions, these are the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (4/5 of production is concentrated), the Astrakhan and Irkutsk regions, as well as the Krasnoyarsk Territory, etc., these are the shelves of the Barents and Kara seas.

The world's largest, even the most unique, deposits are located on Russian territory:

Urengoyskoe.
It belongs to the supergiant and firmly holds third place on the planet. Gas volume - 16 trillion cubic meters. meters - and this is just an approximate estimate. It was discovered in 1966, capital production began in 1978, and appeared on the world market in 1984.
Yamburgskoe.
Among the world's largest deposits, with reserves of almost 8.2 trillion cubic meters. meters of gas, where it is produced in permafrost conditions (40-50 m of frozen ground). Discovered in 1969 on the Tazovsky Peninsula in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, production in industrial scale started in 1980.
Bovanenkovskoe.
It is also not inferior to many world deposits. The volume is estimated at 4.9 trillion cubic meters. Opened in 1971 in Yamal. Constant production began in 2012. Gas is exported mainly to China.
Shtokmanovskoe.
It is considered one of the richest in terms of gas and gas condensate reserves. The volumes of gas and condensate are estimated at 3.94 trillion cubic meters. meters and 56 million tons, respectively. It was discovered in 1981 in the Barents Sea at a depth of 300-400 meters, and already in 1988 the first test production was carried out. There are plans to launch the field at full power in 2019.
Leningradskoe.
The gas condensate field in the southwestern part of the Kara Sea was discovered in 1992 and was immediately assessed as gigantic. The amount of gas in it can be about 3 trillion cubic meters. meters, condensate - almost 3 million tons.
Rusanovskoe.
A unique field in the Kara Sea on the continental shelf of the North-Western Platform was discovered in 1992 at depths of one and a half to two and a half kilometers. According to estimates, reserves are 779 billion tons of gas (it is assumed that this figure can reach 3 trillion cubic meters) and 7.8 million tons of gas condensate.
Zapolyarnoye.
Gas condensate field, the fifth largest in the world in terms of gas reserves. Opened in 1965 between Urengoy and the village of Tazovsky, put into operation in 2001. Reserves are estimated at 2.6 trillion cubic meters. meters.
Bearish.
A unique gas field in the Yamalo-Nenets District. Gives about 4% gas production Russia. It was opened in 1967, and since 1972 it has been in constant operation, but only half is used up. Initial gas reserves are estimated at 4.7 trillion cubic meters.
Astrakhan.
It dates back to 1976. Found near Astrakhan. Reserves are estimated at 2.5 trillion cubic meters. meters of gas and 400 million tons of condensate. Operation began in 1987. And the new discovery in 2014 of another large gas field in this area only serves as confirmation that there are still plenty of surprises in the region.
Sakhalin-3.
A promising project for the development and development of several large gas fields that are opening in Pacific Ocean since the late 1970s. The main ones are: Kirinskoye, Yuzhno-Kirinskoye and Mynginskoye. Gas production is planned at 1.1 billion cubic meters. meters of gas. Initial reserves were estimated at 162.5 billion cubic meters. meters of gas.

Iran, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Algeria, Venezuela, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Turkmenistan. What do this group of countries have in common? The answer is simple: huge proven reserves of minerals, the income from which generously fills the national budgets of these states, “blue gold” - natural gas.

No. 1. Russian Federation .

In the post-Soviet space, Russia (Urengoy field) and Turkmenistan have huge reserves of natural gas, and they also have significant natural gas fields of their own: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (Karachaganak field).

Russia's share in the global gas production market is more than 18% (1st place), its share of the world's proven natural gas reserves is 25% (of which 95% is in the Arctic). In terms of oil reserves, Russia's position is more modest: 5.3% of world oil reserves (8th place on the planet, of which 60% are in the Arctic) .

The Urengoy natural gas field is the 3rd largest in the world (total geological reserves - 16 trillion m³ of natural gas).
Location: Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Tyumen Region of the Russian Federation.
Production is carried out by Gazprom Dobycha Urengoy LLC (100% subsidiary OJSC Gazprom).

No. 2. Islamic Republic of Iran .

Islamic Republic of Iran :

More than 16% of the world's natural gas reserves. The main fields are located on the shelf of the Persian Gulf and in the northeast of the country;
It is planned to build the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline by the end of 2014. Projects suspended in 2012 (under pressure from the United States and its allies in Europe): gas supplies through Ukraine to the EU, extension of the existing gas pipeline (gas supplies to Armenia and Azerbaijan) through Turkey to Greece;
more than 10% of the world's proven oil reserves. 2nd place in oil production among OPEC countries. The largest oil supplier to China;
Iran is Asia's largest economy. In terms of GDP volume it is second only to China, Japan, India, Turkey, Indonesia and South Korea;
There are restrictions on human rights, primarily related to religion. For example, in the system government structure there is a special body - the Council of Guardians of the Constitution, which prohibits non-Muslims from holding senior government positions, and members of parliament from drafting bills that contradict Sharia;
According to the Iranian Constitution (Article 13), in addition to Islam, only 3 religions are recognized: Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. Iran ranks second in the world (after China) in the number of executions for serious crimes.

No. 3. Qatar .

Qatar - the pearl of the Persian Gulf :

3rd place in the world in natural gas reserves, 6th largest exporter of natural gas in the world;
major exporter of oil and petroleum products (OPEC member);
country number 1 in the world in terms of “average per capita income” \ richest state in the world;
form of government - absolute monarchy;
Qatari satellite television - Al Jazeera - is the leading media outlet in the Middle East.

No. 4. Saudi Arabia .

More than 25% of proven oil reserves (more than 260 billion barrels), 4th place in natural gas reserves on Earth;
leader of OPEC. The main regulator of world oil prices;
active defender and lobbyist for the interests of Islam around the world. “The Land of Two Mosques” (the two main holy cities of the Islamic world, Mecca and Medina);
absolute theocratic monarchy, welfare state;
is among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of funding volumes armed forces;
a key ally of the United States in the Middle East and, at the same time, the homeland former leader terrorist organization Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda. Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Vatican were established only in 2007;
the law prohibits oral or written discussions of existing political system, use and trade in alcohol and drugs. criminal law is based on Sharia; for theft - cutting off the hand, for extramarital sexual relations the punishment is lashing, for murder, blasphemy and “witchcraft” (predicting the future, fortune telling) - the death penalty.

No. 5. Turkmenistan .

Turkmenistan is the 5th country in the world in terms of natural gas reserves (according to some estimates - 4th). Has the 2nd largest gas field in the world .

Briefly about Turkmenistan:

Huge reserves of natural gas (15-20 trillion cubic meters) and oil (1.5-2.0 billion tons) have turned Turkmenistan into an important exporter of fuel resources. Main buyers: Ukraine, Poland, Hungary;
the power of the current President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is absolute. Turkmenistan maintains one of the most repressive and authoritarian regimes in the world. © Human Rights Watch;
According to the Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan is annually at the bottom of the list. © Reporters Without Borders

No. 6. United Arab Emirates .

6th place in the world in terms of proven gas reserves (about 4% of world reserves \ proven natural gas reserves - more than 214 trillion cubic feet). The main places for natural gas production are the emirate of Abu Dhabi: Abu al-Bukhush, Bab, Bu Hasa, Umm Shaif, Zakum. The Abu Dhabi National Company controls more than 90% of the country's gas reserves;
5th place in proven oil reserves in the Middle East (No. 1 -Saudi Arabia, No. 2 - Iran, No. 3 - Iraq, No. 4 - Kuwait, No. 5 - Qatar, No. 6 - Oman);
8 - 10% (according to various estimates) of world oil reserves (66 billion barrels, most of it in the emirate of Abu Dhabi). The UAE is a member of OPEC and at the current level of oil production, the UAE's oil reserves will last for more than 100 years! ABU Dhabi National Company (ADNOC) controls the country's oil industry. Main oil fields: the emirate of Abu Dhabi (Asab, Bab, Bu Hasa, Al-Zakum), the emirate of Dubai (Fallah, Fateh, Margham, Rashid), the emirate of Sharjah ("Mubarak" - not far from Abu Musa Island);
the leading economic center of the Middle East and the richest state on the planet. GDP per capita since the 70s. 20th century increased more than 20 times! Main trading partners: Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, South Korea. Fish consumption is one of the highest in the world - 140 kg/year per capita;
The UAE is part of the group of non-aligned countries and takes a position of “absolute neutrality” (maintaining “equidistance” from the West and the East).

No. 7. Nigeria .

Nigeria :

1st place in Africa in terms of proven natural gas reserves (more than 5 trillion cubic meters), 7th place in the world in terms of export volumes;
1st place in Africa in terms of oil exports (before the collapse of the state in 2011, Libya occupied 1st place), 2nd place in Africa in proven oil reserves (after Libya);
Nigeria is one of the main suppliers of oil to Western Europe and an important exporter of crude oil to the United States, Brazil and India. Member of OPEC;
in terms of population - 7th place in the world and No. 1 in Africa: more than 162 million people;
in 2nd place in the world in terms of the number of feature films produced (lower in number than India, but ahead of the USA).

Natural gas production by countries of the world (source - free encyclopedia "Wikipedia" 2006-2011, including using CIA (USA) estimates published in The World Factbook):