In this article, we are going to list the 15 biggest natural gas companies in the world.
Natural gas has been gaining more popularity as an energy source because it helps the world with two major things: first, it reduces the adverse global impact of climate change, and second, it is a cheaper alternative to fossil fuel (until such time that zero-carbon-emitting renewables can take over) which helps economic development. Natural gas is environmental-friendly because it emits 50% less carbon dioxide than coal when you burn it thus they call it “clean fuel”.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transport. This is where the effective use of natural gas comes in. The use of natural gas instead of coal to produce electricity can dramatically reduce air pollution. On the other hand, natural gas is also a strong player for hydropower, offering a reliable source of electricity when there is inadequate rainfall. If you are interested in promoting sustainable energy, you may read on the 10 best climate stocks to buy now for more information.
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As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas has accounted for nearly one-third of the total increase in energy demand over the last decade, more than any other commodity, accounting for approximately 23% of the world’s primary energy demand. According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, Russia holds 19% of the world’s natural gas reserves with a total proved resource of 38 TCM (1,341 trillion cubic feet). While the US accounts for a 6.5% share of natural gas reserves worldwide with a proven resource of 12.9 TCM (455 trillion cubic meters). You would notice that some of the 15 largest gas companies in the US are present on our list of the world’s biggest natural gas companies as the US is one of the largest countries that produce natural gas. In 2019, the US generated almost a quarter of the world’s natural gas supply – about 921 bcm – more than any other country.
In 2019, the global output of natural gas reached a new peak, reaching the mark of 4 Tcm for the first time with the production of 4 088 Bcm. After the financial crisis, natural gas production has steadily increased at an annual growth rate of 2.7%. Natural gas was less heavily impacted than oil and coal, but there was still a drop in demand during the COVID-19 crisis. Global demand for gas dropped by an estimated 4% year-on-year in the first half of 2020 due to the combination of the Covid-19 crisis and the unusually warm winter in the northern hemisphere. The strict lockdown measures and low electricity demand due to business closures have impacted the demand for natural gas as well. Is it the universe telling us that the natural gas industry is about to flunk? One thing is certain if consumption returns to its pre-pandemic state by next year, the natural gas demand is expected to recover progressively.
With that, we are providing you today the list of the biggest natural gas companies in the world ranked by revenue, market cap, and assets we sourced from Forbes. These values will give us the most accurate ranking in determining the biggest natural gas key players in the world and we’ll start it with number 15:
15. Conocophillips (NYSE: COP)
Revenue: $29.5 billion
Market Cap: $42.8 billion
Assets: $65 billion
Headquarter: Houston, TX, USA
One of the largest gas producers in the US is also distributing natural gas globally. ConocoPhillips was founded in 1917 and operates in 29 countries, primarily North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. ConocoPhillips is involved in the production, advancement, transport, and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas worldwide.
14. Equinor (NYSE: EQNR)
Revenue: $64.35 billion
Market Cap: $46.4 billion
Assets: $118 billion
Headquarter: Stavanger, Norway
Equinor is a multinational energy corporation, present in more than 30 countries worldwide, engaged in the discovery, growth, and production of oil and gas, as well as wind and solar power. Equinor supplies gas equal to the gas consumption of more than 50 million households in Europe. The company is the largest producer of gas on the Norwegian continental shelf and the second-largest supplier of gas in Europe. Equinor has established operations in the US, Germany, the UK, France, and Algeria.
13. Eni Spa (NYSE: E)
Revenue: $72.5 billion
Market Cap: $34.1 billion
Assets: $131.7 billion
Headquarter: Rome, Italy
Eni SPA is an Italian company engaged in the discovery, growth, and production of hydrocarbons, the supply and marketing of coal, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity, the processing and marketing of petroleum products, the production, and marketing of basic petrochemicals and plastics. In 2019, Eni produced approximately 5.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
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12. Petrobras (NYSE: PZE)
Revenue: $78.9 billion
Market Cap: $43.5 billion
Assets: $230.2 billion
Headquarter: Brasilia, Brazil
Petroleum Brasileiro S.A. focuses on the oil, natural gas, and energy sectors. The company is involved in the prospecting, exploration, refining, manufacturing, trading, and transporting of crude oil from inland and offshore oil fields and shale or other rocks.
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11. Lukoil PJSC
Revenue: $116.3 billion
Market Cap: $41.2 billion
Assets: $95.7 billion
Headquarter: Moscow, Russia
LUKOIL PJSC explores, extracts, and refines, transports, and markets oil and gas primarily from Western Siberia. LUKOIL is one of the largest globally integrated oil and gas companies accounting for about 2% of the world’s oil production and about 1% of the proven hydrocarbon reserves.
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10. Gazprom
Revenue: $122.6 billion
Market Cap: $60.8 billion
Assets: $331.7 billion
Headquarter: Moscow, Russia
Gazprom focuses on the geological exploration, development, transport, storage, refining, and selling of coal, natural gas, and oil, the sale of gas as a vehicle fuel, as well as the generation and marketing of heat and electricity. In 2019, the company manufactured 500.1 billion cubic meters of natural and associated gas; 16.7 million tons of condensate gas; 40.8 million tons of oil.
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9. Rosneft Oil Co.
Revenue: $129.9 billion
Market Cap: $48.1 billion
Assets: $208.5 billion
Headquarter: Moscow, Russia
Rosneft is the pioneer of Russia’s oil industry and the world’s largest publicly traded oil company. Rosneft’s operations include discovery and development of hydrocarbons, offshore ventures, refining of hydrocarbons, and the sale of crude oil, gas, and products in Russia and abroad. The Russian oil firm Rosneft’s output volume of crude oil and gas condensate amounted to 230 million metric tons in 2019.
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8. Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX)
Revenue: $140.1 billion
Market Cap: $164.98
Assets: $237.4 billion
Headquarter: San Ramon, CA
Founded in 1879, the oil company now known as Chevron Corp. is one of the oldest survival stories in California as a well-established natural gas producer in the world. The company has more than 2.4 trillion barrels of proven oil reserves in the United States alone and can supply the world daily with 6.03 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Chevron Corporation produces and sells crude oil and natural gas. Chevron also refines markets and distributes oils, as well as engages in chemical and mining operations, power generation, and energy services.
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7. China National Petroleum Corporation
Revenue: $168 billion
Market Cap: $69.1 billion
Headquarter: Beijing, China
China National Petroleum Corporation plays a leading role in China’s petroleum industry. CNPC is the largest natural gas producer and supplier in China, providing more than 61.9% of China’s gas supply and operating 75.2% of China’s gas pipeline. CNPC owns the biggest pipeline and storage networks serving 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as the Hong Kong SAR in China.
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6. Total SE
Revenue: $176.2 billion
Market Cap: $93.1 billion
Assets: $273.3 billion
Headquarter: Paris, France
Total SE extracts, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and low-carbon energy, as well as refine petrochemical materials. Total currently operates gas stations in Europe, the United States, and Africa. The company aims to increase the output of gas to promote the least carbon-intensive energy production, which could account for almost 60% of its hydrocarbon production by 2035, while at the same time reducing as much as possible the emissions of methane produced by its production and transport.
5. Petrochina Company Limited ADR (NYSE: PTR)
Revenue: $232 billion
Market Cap: $65.9 billion
Assets: $392.3 billion
Headquarter: Beijing, China
It is not only one of the biggest distribution companies in China, but also one of the largest natural gas companies in the world. It engages in a broad range of activities related to oil and natural gas, including exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas; refining, transport, storage, and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products. Recently, PetroChina has discovered a natural gas field with reserves of more than 100 billion cubic meters in Xianjing, Northwest China.
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4. Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM)
Revenue: $256 billion
Market Cap: $176.61 billion
Assets: $362 billion
Headquarter: Irving, TX, USA
ExxonMobil is a global manufacturer of oil and gas products and is the third-largest natural gas company in the US. ExxonMobil’s global output of natural gas amounted to a total of approximately 9.39 billion cubic feet per day in 2019. The company is also engaged in the business of raw materials such as polypropylene and isopropyl alcohol for surgical masks, footwear, and hand sanitizers.
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3. BP Plc (NYSE: BP)
Revenue: $271 billion
Market Cap: $79.4 billion
Assets: $273.9 billion
Headquarter: London, United Kingdom
BP is a UK-based oil and energy corporation active in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia. The company does not only focuses on natural gas exploration and production but also refining, wholesale, retail, and investment activities. In 2019, BP Plc’s output of natural gas amounted to approximately 9.1 billion cubic feet per day.
2. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A)
Revenue: $311.6 billion
Market Cap: $126.5 billion
Assets: $394 billion
Headquarter: The Hague, Netherlands
Second on our list is Royal Dutch Shell, the largest gas firm in the US with sales of over $300 billion and operations in more than 70 countries. Shell is participating in the discovery, development, and sale of oil and gas and other petrochemicals worldwide. The company has generated approximately 356.8 billion standard cubic feet through subsidiaries in Africa.
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1. Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco)
Revenue: $329 billion
Market Cap: $1.7 trillion
Assets: $$398.3 billion
Headquarter: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Topping the list of the 15 biggest natural gas companies in the world is Saudi Arabian Oil Co operating as Saudi Aramco. The company is the sole supplier of natural gas in Saudi Arabia, which is the seventh-largest natural gas market in the world. Saudi Aramco also engages in the production and exploration of crude oil. One of the most impressive gas infrastructures they built is the Wasit Gas Plant. The Master Gas System in Wasit increases the production of natural gas and therefore increases the supply of clean-natural burning gas.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia had 237.4 trillion standard cubic feet of established natural gas reserves. In the same year, Saudi Aramco generated 9.0 billion sfd of natural gas from its inventory of 510 reservoirs in 138 fields.
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Disclosure: No position. 15 biggest natural gas companies in the world is originally published at Insider Monkey.
