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Global natural gas demand hit record high in 2025
Global natural gas demand reached a record 4,202 billion cubic meters in 2025, a 1.7% increase from the previous year. According to the 2026 Global Gas Report by the International Gas Union, Snam, and Rystad Energy, this growth was driven by residential, commercial, and electricity production needs. Global supply also hit a record high of 4,147 billion cubic meters in 2025, with North America emerging as the world's top exporter, surpassing Russia.
However, the market faces significant volatility in 2026. A crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted approximately 20% of global LNG supply. In Qatar, missile strikes on Ras Laffan infrastructure led QatarEnergy to declare force majeure on supplies and suspend the North Field expansion project, causing potential delays of up to one year.
Analysts project that 2026 will see the first annual decline in global gas demand since 2022, with an expected drop of 7 billion cubic meters. While prices have risen due to the Middle East supply shock, the report notes that the global system has become more resilient compared to the 2022 energy crisis due to increased diversification and storage capacity.
Entities
International Gas Union · QatarEnergy · Rystad Energy · Snam · Strait of Hormuz
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Global natural gas demand reached a record 4,202 billion cubic meters in 2025. cresus.dz · www.lngindustry.com · algerie-eco.com · newsnreleases.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The North Field expansion project has been suspended with potential delays of up to one year. newsnreleases.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] QatarEnergy declared force majeure on supplies through mid-June 2026 following missile strikes on Ras Laffan infrastructure. newsnreleases.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2026 Global Gas Report was published jointly by the International Gas Union, Snam, and Rystad Energy. newsnreleases.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Global natural gas supply reached a record 4,147 billion cubic meters in 2025. cresus.dz · www.lngindustry.com · algerie-eco.com · newsnreleases.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Global natural gas demand is projected to fall by 7 billion cubic meters in 2026. www.lngindustry.com · newsnreleases.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Global natural gas demand in 2025 increased by 69 billion cubic meters, or 1.7%, compared to 2024. cresus.dz · www.lngindustry.com · algerie-eco.com · newsnreleases.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Strait of Hormuz crisis in early 2026 disrupted approximately 20% of global LNG supply. www.lngindustry.com · newsnreleases.com