Published: February 15, 2012
Is US Producing More Natural Gas Than Any Country in The World?
By Mina Fabulous 
Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert F. Cekuta today said the United States produced more natural gas than any country in the world in 2010; more than all the countries of the Middle East combined.
In his remarks at the 2nd U.S.-Indonesia Energy Investment Roundtable in Indonesia, Mr. Cekuta said that one fact that the United States is producing more natural gas should give an idea of the transformative effect of unconventional gas in the country.
"It is the reality that surprises most Americans. President Obama mentioned this transformation in his remarks to the Congress in the State of the Union last month." -Mr. Cekuta
He cites that during the last decade, production of unconventional natural gas, which includes shale gas, tight gas, and coalbed methane, grew to reach more than 50 percent of annual U.S. natural gas output.
He notes that development of domestic shale gas resources were once thought technologically and economically unfeasible has been made possible due to a combination of U.S. government support for research and development and private sector entrepreneurship.
"The story is not finished; even as we have overcome some of the hurdles to shale gas development, we continue to examine ways to avoid and mitigate environmental and other concerns. The message of this experience is clear." -Mr. Cekuta
However, Mr. Cekuta pointed out that the global energy market is changing. He said that if the right steps are taken, there is a strong potential that responsible unconventional natural gas development will have a significant positive impact on the economic well-being and energy security of Indonesia, as well as of many other countries around the world.
At the roundtable, Mr. Cekuta also talked about unconventional natural gas, and the potential benefits that can be realized by its responsible development.
He stresses that there is a great potential in the broader energy partnership between two countries.
He states that the leaders of both the United States and Indonesia have worked in recent years to expand and deepen our relations.
He reports that Indonesia is a natural regional partner and a co-member of the G20. Both countries have agreed to a Comprehensive Partnership, and a Joint Commission - led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa - which includes an Energy Working Group.
He underlines that energy is an area of global foreign policy that Secretary Clinton has determined needs increased focus and emphasis including because of its role in global economic growth and security.
Peoples Gas Manlove Field natural gas storage area in Newcomb Township, Champaign County, Illinois. In the foreground (left) is one of the numerous wells for the underground storage area, with an LNG plant, and above ground storage tanks are in the background (right). Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
He emphasizes that the United States deeply welcomes Indonesia's interest in examining the potential that unconventional natural gas resources can offer.
He notes unconventional natural gas resources need to be developed with attention to the legal, regulatory, environmental, and safety challenges these technologies can pose.
"The experience of the United States government, and the expertise gained by our private sector,may be useful to Indonesia as it considers going down this road, and we are happy to share it with you and with others who have these resources." -Mr. Cekuta
Natural gas is a vital source of energy in most of the countries in the industrialized world. While the use of natural gas is not new however, it is only recently that methods for obtaining natural gas, bringing it to the surface, and putting it to use were developed. Most of the natural gas available to us today, is millions and millions of years old.
Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.
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