The latest forecasts of annual worldwide energy consumption
indicate that 11.7 billion tons of petroleum equivalent
will be used in 2010 and 14.2 billion in 2020, compared
with the 8.9 billion consumed in 1997. Nevertheless, many
countries already support the consumption of natural gas
in detriment to oil, coal and nuclear energy. Thus, the consumption
of natural gas is estimated to be in the order of
3.5 trillion m3 in 2010 and 4.7 trillion in 2020, against the
2.3 trillion consumed in 1997. This represents a growth of
52%, or 4.2% per year over the next decade. Natural gas
is an abundant resource whose deposits total 146 trillion
m3, which is equivalent to 60 yr of consumption. Probable
additional deposits are estimated at 260 trillion m3, or
an additional 83 yr at the consumption rate estimated for
2010. It is obvious that the general worldwide trend for
environmental protection should strongly restrict the use
of untreated petroleum by-products, leading to a forecasted
drop in oil demand before the world’s oil reserves are
depleted. Until that time, there will have been 50 yr of technological
development associated with an ever decreasing
availability of oil and natural gas [
The latest forecasts of annual worldwide energy consumption
indicate that 11.7 billion tons of petroleum equivalent
will be used in 2010 and 14.2 billion in 2020, compared
with the 8.9 billion consumed in 1997. Nevertheless, many
countries already support the consumption of natural gas
in detriment to oil, coal and nuclear energy. Thus, the consumption
of natural gas is estimated to be in the order of
3.5 trillion m3 in 2010 and 4.7 trillion in 2020, against the
2.3 trillion consumed in 1997. This represents a growth of
52%, or 4.2% per year over the next decade. Natural gas
is an abundant resource whose deposits total 146 trillion
m3, which is equivalent to 60 yr of consumption. Probable
additional deposits are estimated at 260 trillion m3, or
an additional 83 yr at the consumption rate estimated for
2010. It is obvious that the general worldwide trend for
environmental protection should strongly restrict the use
of untreated petroleum by-products, leading to a forecasted
drop in oil demand before the world’s oil reserves are
depleted. Until that time, there will have been 50 yr of technological
development associated with an ever decreasing
availability of oil and natural gas [
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