Operations

Natural gas

The abundance and versatility of natural gas make it a valuable energy source to meet a variety of needs while also helping the world shift to less carbon-intensive sources of energy.

Favorable attributes drive growth

Natural gas’ abundance, flexibility and comparative environmental benefits drive projected growth more than any other energy source

All of the world’s energy sources will be needed to meet rising demand to 2040, but there will be a marked shift toward cleaner fuels, particularly natural gas. Not only are natural gas resources geographically and geologically diverse, abundant, reliable and versatile in use (power generation; residential, commercial, industrial heating and cooking; and even transportation), but also natural gas emits significantly fewer pollutants than coal power generation, including NOx, SOx, particulates, mercury, and up to 60 percent fewer GHGs.

Oil and natural gas technologies, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have unlocked vast unconventional resources. These supplies have dramatically altered the energy landscape over the past decade, particularly in North America. Natural gas usage is projected to continue to expand rapidly. We expect about 40 percent of the projected growth in global energy demand from 2016 to 2040 will be met by natural gas.

climate solutions

Effectively managing methane emissions

Natural gas is a versatile fuel, capable of powering utilities, homes and transportation. It also emits significantly fewer pollutants than coal power generation, including NOx, SOx, particulates, mercury, and up to 60 percent fewer GHGs. As confirmed by the International Energy Agency, methane emissions do not negate the substantial climate change benefits of natural gas versus coal, but mitigating emissions can further enhance those benefits. This is a key component of ExxonMobil’s approach to developing future energy technology. The company continues to implement cost-effective methods to reduce methane and other hydrocarbon emissions in our operations. Learn more about methane emissions reduction and enabling technologies
ExxonMobil's role

Global exploration, production and sales

Through our global affiliates, our expertise in exploring, developing, marketing, and producing hydrocarbon resources is used to supply natural gas that plays a vital role in the dual challenge of meeting the world’s need for energy while managing the effects on the environment, including the risks of climate change. These affiliates include XTO Energy which is a leading oil and natural gas producer in the United States with expertise in developing tight gas, shale gas and unconventional oil resources. XTO or its affiliates operate in all major U.S. unconventional producing regions.

2022 Outlook for Energy

XTO energy

ExxonMobil's Role

A pioneer in the LNG industry

The LNG value chain is complex and capital intensive. There are three recurring strengths that make ExxonMobil the partner of choice at every link in that chain — proven project execution; attention to safety and the environment; and unparalleled financial strength.

Liquefied Natural Gas: Understanding one of the world's most vital energy resources

ExxonMobil LNG leadership

Fueling the future: cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas demand forecasted to triple by 2040

A broad portfolio of global liquefied natural gas operations continues to grow

Plans to expand the Golden Pass terminal could generate up to 45,000 jobs nationwide

RasGas liquified natural gas (LNG) production

All articles about natural gas

LaBarge: Helium explained While helium helps make party balloons lighter than air, it’s also a critical element for many advanced technologies, like MRIs for healthcare, rockets for space exploration, and microchips for advanced computing.

Natural gas Energy Factor • Nov. 16, 2022

Our purpose in the Permian Oil and natural gas are fundamental to modern life, from heating homes and filling gas tanks to generating electricity and providing the chemical building blocks for plastics. As one of the most active operators across the Permian Basin – a vast area roughly the size of Kansas that's spread across southwest Texas and southeast New Mexico – ExxonMobil is working to increase global energy supplies at a time when demand for reliable energy is growing.

Natural gas Energy Factor • Nov. 16, 2022

Coral South project in Mozambique ships first LNG cargo, helps meet global demand

IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil announced the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the $8 billion Coral South floating LNG (FLNG) project offshore Mozambique, bringing additional LNG volumes to the global energy market.

Newsroom News • Nov. 14, 2022

Liquefied natural gas: Providing more energy with lower emissions Our focus at ExxonMobil is providing affordable and reliable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the past few months, there have been dramatic changes in the market for LNG, or liquefied natural gas, both in price and regional demand. For those of you who don’t know, LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state which enables us to safely transport it to customers around the world.

Natural gas Energy Factor • June 28, 2022

The power of natural gas For most of us, natural gas is the blue flame lighting stovetops at dinnertime or working down in basement boilers to heat water and buildings. But there's more to natural gas than a little blue flame.

Natural gas Energy Factor • June 24, 2022