U. S. natural gas demand through the year 2000

Based on predictions by the U.S. Gas Association, the demand for natural gas (PG) in the country may rise by 1.5 times from 1980 to the year 2000. This prediction counts on an increase in the extraction of natural gas in Alaska and on the import of natural gas from Canada and Mexico and in some variants, liquified natural gas from other countries. The production of gas from coal and heavy hydrocarbons is discussed. The increase in the demand for gas will make it possible to reduce oil imports to the U.S. At the same time, it is noted that with an unfavorable development of the gas balance, it is possible that the demand for natural gas in the U.S. will not rise by the year 2000 and might even be somewhat reduced as compared to the 1980 level. The balance of gas demand in the U.S. (in billions of cubic meters) for 1980 and the year 2000 (predicted), respectively, is as follows: homes: 150 and 130 to 170; small consumers: 70 and 90 to 130; industry: 240 and 230 to 350; electric power plants (ES): 100 and 30 to 60; new fields of application: 0 and 40 to 140more » and pipelines: 20 and 20, with totals of 580 and 550 to 870, respectively. In all variants the demand for natural gas by small consumers rises while the demand by thermoelectric power plants (TES) will be sharply reduced. New fields for using natural gas (billions of cubic meters) are: motor vehicle motors, from 10 to 50; complex industrial installations which generate electricity and thermal power, 20 to 60 and the liquefaction of natural gas along with coal to facilitate the use of coal.« less