1. Presentation and background

1.1 Natural gas market

In the global energy context, and in anticipation of the deployment of new energies with lower carbon content, natural gas is a major transitional energy, making it possible to meet growing global needs, while minimizing the environmental impact of fossil fuels. In 2013, the international gas market grew by 2.1% compared with 2012.

Global natural gas production is rising steadily, with an average growth forecast of + 1.6%/year for natural gas and + 3%/year for liquefied natural gas by 2035. Gas production trends vary according to geographical zone, with North America being impacted by the production of unconventional gas (figure 1...