Markets for Natural Gas in Developing Countries

Abstract

In this paper I look at some major domestic markets for natural gas in developing countries and the conditions that must be met for a gas project to be realized. The residential and commercial sectors are not favorable unless a demand exists for space heating in the winter and this will apply to relatively few cities in the third world. The prime candidates are electric power stations, where gas is most suitable for combined cycle (in shoulder or base loads) or steam turbines (for base loads). A wider role for gas in electricity generation depends upon a shift away from hydropower or coal.