The fastest growing energy market in the world.
The US Dept of Energy estimates that 900 of the next 1000 power plants built will burn natural gas. Worldwide consumption is projected to double by 2025.
However, it is not a renewable energy source; it will run out.
The US and China need it, but the largest reserves are in Russia and Venezuels. Asia consumes 71% of the world's LNG and its consumption is expected to double by 2015.
It is difficult to transport over long distances. Methane cooled to -259 degrees (LNG, liquid natural gas) occupies 1/600 of the gaseous form and can be stored and transported in heavily insulated tanks.
Currently, LNG is only 6% of the world's natural gas trade, but with pipelines and terminals being added in the Gulf of Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Nigeria, Ytrinidad, and numerous Asian sites, the LNG industry is surging.
LNG is capital-intensive. The links in the chain are production, liquifaction, shipping, regasification, and marketing.