Global gas consumption in the first quarter of 2024 increased by more than 40 billion cubic meters, mainly thanks to the Asia-Pacific countries region (ATP), and in Europe it fell by another 3.2%, according to a statement by the gas giant "Gazprom". The data were presented after the meeting between the head of the company Alexey Miller and the president of the Azerbaijani SOCAR Rovshan Najaf within the framework of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
„Alexey Miller noted that according to Gazprom estimates, Based on official statistics, in 2023 the world's gas consumption increased by 15 billion cubic meters, and from the beginning of 2024, the growth of consumption is accelerating . At the end of the first quarter of 2024, global gas consumption increased by more than 40 billion cubic meters, or 3.5% compared to the same period last year, the report said.
At the same time, the largest increase of 20 billion cubic meters fell on the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The leader in gas consumption in the region is China, which provided two-thirds of the increase in the first quarter. “The volume of the Chinese natural gas market already exceeds the total level of its consumption by all countries of the European Union,” Gazprom notes.
At the same time, gas consumption in Europe continues to fall, falling by 5 billion cubic meters in the first quarter. m, or by 3.2% compared to the same period in 2023. The largest decline was recorded by the largest European economies – Germany, Great Britain and Italy.
"The increase in international gas trade volumes in the first quarter of 2024 amounted to about 15 billion cubic meters. m (+4.8%) compared to the same period last year. About 60% of the increase in global gas trade and more than 80% of the increase in pipeline gas trade was provided by Gazprom, the company emphasized.