Closer to reality? LNG imports eyed to meet generation demand

摘要

An increase in exploration and production activity, with optimum results, is the only way to stave off a looming natural gas supply-demand gap that threatens to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports substantially by the end of the decade. However, the gas sector faces several constraints to boosting production such as a restricted resource base for new discovery in many areas, increased well decline rates, volatile gas prices, and the time lag in production-rate responses to increased drilling activity. As a result, the nation's increasing use of clean-burning natural gas to produce cheap, environmentally friendly electric power may also produce an increased reliance on foreign sources for the fuel.