Natural Gas Production by Country: Top Producers in 2024
Natural Gas: The Fastest-Growing Fossil Fuel
Natural gas has cemented its position as the pivot fuel of the 2020s. It is the fastest-growing fossil fuel by consumption, the backbone of the global LNG trade, and the default choice for countries seeking to reduce coal emissions without fully committing to renewables. In 2024, global natural gas production reached approximately 4,150 billion cubic meters (bcm), up 2.1% from the previous year.
Understanding who produces natural gas, and how production trends are shifting, is essential for anyone tracking energy markets, geopolitics, or climate policy.
Top 20 Natural Gas Producers (2024)
| Rank | Country | Production (bcm) | Share of Global (%) | Year-on-Year Change | |------|---------|------------------|--------------------|--------------------| | 1 | United States | 1,062 | 25.6 | +2.8% | | 2 | Russia | 618 | 14.9 | -1.2% | | 3 | Iran | 263 | 6.3 | +1.5% | | 4 | China | 234 | 5.6 | +5.8% | | 5 | Qatar | 181 | 4.4 | +3.2% | | 6 | Canada | 178 | 4.3 | +2.1% | | 7 | Australia | 152 | 3.7 | +0.6% | | 8 | Saudi Arabia | 117 | 2.8 | +3.5% | | 9 | Norway | 114 | 2.7 | -0.8% | | 10 | Algeria | 101 | 2.4 | +1.1% | | 11 | Turkmenistan | 83 | 2.0 | +4.2% | | 12 | Indonesia | 61 | 1.5 | -2.3% | | 13 | Malaysia | 57 | 1.4 | -1.0% | | 14 | Egypt | 55 | 1.3 | -4.7% | | 15 | United Arab Emirates | 54 | 1.3 | +2.9% | | 16 | Nigeria | 49 | 1.2 | +6.1% | | 17 | Argentina | 47 | 1.1 | +8.4% | | 18 | Uzbekistan | 45 | 1.1 | +0.3% | | 19 | United Kingdom | 35 | 0.8 | -7.2% | | 20 | Pakistan | 31 | 0.7 | -3.8% |
Data: energtx Research based on EIA, IEA, and Cedigaz estimates. Full production data available at energtx.com/datasets.
The American Gas Juggernaut
The United States produced over 1,062 bcm in 2024, accounting for more than a quarter of global output. This dominance is the product of the shale gas revolution that began in the late 2000s, driven by hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in formations like the Marcellus, Permian, and Haynesville.
US production growth shows no signs of slowing. New LNG export terminals on the Gulf Coast have opened international markets for American gas, and associated gas production from oil drilling in the Permian Basin adds supply even when gas prices are low. The US now exports approximately 120 bcm per year as LNG, making it the world's largest LNG exporter.
The scale of American gas production has reshaped global markets. European buyers who previously depended on Russian pipeline gas now import US LNG. Asian buyers have diversified away from long-term oil-linked contracts toward US hub-priced supply.
Russia: The Wounded Giant
Russia remains the world's second-largest producer at 618 bcm, but its position has weakened significantly since 2021. The loss of European pipeline markets following the invasion of Ukraine forced Gazprom to cut production sharply. While some volumes have been redirected to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline, the replacement has been only partial.
Russian production declined 1.2% in 2024, and the longer-term outlook depends heavily on whether the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline to China is approved and built. Without new export infrastructure, Russia faces the prospect of stranded gas reserves in West Siberia.
The Middle Eastern Expansion
Iran holds the world's second-largest proved gas reserves but exports relatively little due to sanctions and domestic consumption. At 263 bcm, Iranian production primarily feeds domestic heating, power generation, and the petrochemical industry. Chronic underinvestment in the South Pars field means Iran produces well below its potential.
Qatar at 181 bcm punches far above its size. The North Field expansion project, the largest LNG project in history, will increase Qatari LNG capacity by 64% by 2028. Qatar is positioning itself as the swing supplier in global LNG markets, able to send cargoes to Europe or Asia depending on price signals.
Saudi Arabia at 117 bcm is investing heavily in the Jafurah unconventional gas field to reduce domestic oil burn for power generation and provide feedstock for a planned petrochemical expansion. Saudi gas production growth of 3.5% in 2024 reflects the early stages of this strategy.
China's Domestic Push
China recorded the fastest production growth among major producers at 5.8%, reaching 234 bcm. Beijing has prioritized domestic gas development for energy security, investing in tight gas, shale gas in the Sichuan Basin, and coalbed methane. Despite this growth, China still imports roughly 40% of its gas consumption, making it the world's largest gas importer.
Emerging Producers to Watch
Two countries stand out for production growth trajectories that could reshape regional markets.
Argentina grew production by 8.4% in 2024, driven by the Vaca Muerta shale formation in Patagonia. Vaca Muerta holds world-class shale gas resources comparable to the US Marcellus, and improved drilling economics are attracting international investment. Argentina is building the Nestor Kirchner pipeline to bring Vaca Muerta gas to Buenos Aires and potentially to export markets.
Nigeria increased output by 6.1%, reflecting new investment in gas monetization after decades of flaring associated gas from oil production. The Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion and the AKK domestic pipeline aim to transform Nigeria from a country that wastes gas into a significant exporter.
Declining Producers
Several countries face structural production declines. The United Kingdom fell 7.2% as North Sea fields mature and no new exploration licenses are issued under current government policy. Egypt declined 4.7% as the giant Zohr field plateaued and domestic demand growth outpaced new development. Indonesia and Pakistan face similar declines from aging fields.
The LNG Factor
The story of natural gas production is increasingly inseparable from the LNG trade. Global LNG capacity is set to expand by 40% between 2024 and 2030, with new liquefaction plants in the US, Qatar, Mozambique, and Canada. This wave of new supply will connect previously isolated gas markets and increase competition among producers.
For gas-importing nations like Turkey, India, and the countries of Southeast Asia, the LNG supply wave offers the prospect of lower prices and greater supply diversity. For producers, it means intensifying competition for market share.
Key Takeaways
The natural gas production landscape in 2024 is defined by three forces: American shale dominance, the restructuring of Russian exports, and a massive LNG capacity buildout that will reshape trade flows through the end of the decade. Tracking production data by country is essential for understanding where supply is heading.
Explore natural gas production data for all 56 countries on energtx.com/datasets, or dive into individual country profiles like Qatar, Russia, and Argentina.