BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. According to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), global natural gas production in 2024 remained largely unchanged, with non-associated gas continuing to dominate the landscape, Trend reports.
Non-associated gas accounted for 86.7% of the total output, emphasizing the crucial role of dedicated gas fields in meeting the world’s energy demands. Associated gas, which is produced alongside oil, contributed 13.3% of global gas output, showing steady growth from previous years.
The rise in associated gas production - from 446 bcm in 2014 to 556 bcm in 2024 - reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2%. Despite this growth, the environmental impact of associated gas production remains a key issue. If not recovered for use, associated gas is often flared, significantly contributing to global carbon emissions. While some countries have made progress in reducing flaring, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, economic barriers, and insufficient financial incentives for gas recovery continue to hinder efforts in many regions.
Regionally, GECF reports that North America leads associated gas production, with nearly half of the output coming from the US Permian Basin and the Canadian Bakken Shale. The Middle East follows, contributing 12%, with Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar oil field - the largest oil field in the world - being a key contributor. Eurasia accounts for 11%, with Russia playing a major role in associated gas production.
