World gas production grew substantially in 2010, by more than 6%, the highest rise among fossil fuels and the strongest increase since 1994.
Russia pushed in front of the United States and became the world’s largest gas producer in 2010, with production rising by 11% (vs. 4.3% in the United States) and despite the strong increase in unconventional gas production in the United States.
Gas output rose 5.5% in Iran (the world’s fourth largest gas producer) and continued to increase rapidly in China (8.7%).
Conversely, Canadian gas production fell slightly (-0.5%), while Algerian output was scaled down by a further 12% in 2010.
Gas production in European countries grew 3% during the year, supported by increasing outputs in the Netherlands (12.4%) and Norway (3.6%).