The Gas Supplies of the United States—Present and Future

Forecasted natural gas availability from 1971 to 1990 indicates the Nation's supply will be inadequate to meet projected demand. Domestic production is expected to peak at about 25 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in the mid-seventies and decline slowly thereafter, while demand could reach 46 Tcf in 1990. Supplemental sources of gas, including pipeline imports, liquefied natural gas, synthetic gas from coal, and gas from Alaska, will be required to ameliorate indigenous supply deficiencies. Expected volumes of gas from these supplemental sources may total 4.6 and 11.5 Tcf annually by 1980 and 1990, respectively, and by 1990 could provide about 40% of the Nation's gas consumption. Nevertheless, total gas supply will be insufficient to meet projected demand, and a continuing supply-demand imbalance is expected.