Cheap gas key to unlocking new markets
Weaning poorer regions off coal means gas needs to be abundant and competitive longer term
Ensuring gas is cheap enough to broaden access to the fuel is the key to unlocking more demand in price-sensitive emerging markets in Africa and Southwest Asia, with supportive government policy essential for entrenching the fuel and assuring investors of its longevity, industry executives said at the World Gas Conference in Beijing in May. The cost of gas across all key markets in 2024 declined significantly year-on-year, but European and Asian spot prices remained well above their historic averages. The front-month TTF price last year was more than double the five-year average over 2016–20, while the Platts Japan-Korea Marker averaged nearly twice as high, according to the IEA. “We d
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent






