The U.S.' natural gas production and exports are expected to continue increasing until 2050, according to the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday.
The EIA said it estimates dry natural gas production will total 34 trillion cubic feet (963 billion cubic meters) in 2019, adding that it projects this level will reach 45 trillion cubic feet (1.27 trillion cubic meters) by 2050 -- almost a 32% increase.
'Production growth results largely from continued development of tight and shale resources in the East, Gulf Coast, and Southwest regions, which more than offsets production declines in other regions,' the EIA said in a statement.
'Dry natural gas production from these three regions accounted for 68% of total U.S. dry natural gas production in 2019, and 78% of dry natural gas production in 2050,' it added.
The U.S. has started exporting more natural gas than it imports on an annual basis since 2017, driven by increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, more pipeline exports to Mexico, and reduced imports from Canada, the EIA noted.
The administration also noted that the U.S.' LNG exports will almost triple, from 1.7 trillion cubic feet (48 billion cubic meters) in 2019 to 5.8 trillion cubic feet (164 billion cubic meters) in 2030, and remain at this level through 2050.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr