Shale gas production is expected to continue in just a few countries around the world besides the United States.

On November 19, 2019, the Gazprom board of directors took note of the information regarding the growth prospects of the shale gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry across the world, as well as the opportunities and the threats facing the company.

It was highlighted that the share of the United States in the global shale gas production exceeded 95 percent in 2018. According to current forecasts, the U.S. will remain the main producer of shale gas for the long term.

It is expected that shale gas production outside of North America will not have a significant impact on the global gas market configuration and Gazprom’s future export activities, as far out as 2030.

It was noted at the meeting that the earthquakes in the United Kingdom – the only country in Europe that, until recently, had been making attempts to launch the development of shale gas on an industrial scale – led to a number of statutory bans precluding commercial production of gas from shale in the country.

For Gazprom, shale gas production is unfeasible both in the medium and in the long term, given the significant economic and environmental benefits of natural gas from conventional fields, as well as the volume of its proven reserves.

An overview of LNG trends showed an increased number of final investment decisions (FIDs) on LNG projects. From September 2018 to October 2019, FIDs were made for seven new LNG projects in North America, Russia, and Africa – an all-time record for the industry. Nevertheless, independent estimates predict that market growth rates in the next decade will be similar to those in the current decade.

By 2030, Russia is expected to become a leader in the commissioning of new LNG capacities. The greatest contribution to global LNG imports growth – 60 percent – will be made by the Asia-Pacific region.

The participants at the meeting emphasized that Gazprom is making further efforts to develop its LNG segment.

The management committee was tasked to continue monitoring the prospects of the shale gas and LNG industry around the world.

The board of directors also reviewed and took note of the information about the performance assessment of the members of the board of directors and its committees.