BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23.
Global gas output grew by 5.1 billion cubic meters (bcm) in August
2026 compared to the previous month, but decreased by 1 bcm
year-on-year.
This was reflected in the International Energy Forum (IEF) gas
market review, based on data from the Joint Organizations Data
Initiative (JODI).
According to the data, the monthly growth in production was
mainly driven by an increase in output in China by 2.7 bcm, Russia
by 2.2 bcm, and Qatar by 0.3 bcm.
"The year-on-year decline in production was due to a drop in
natural gas production in Qatar by 10.8 bcm following the closure
of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in Azerbaijan by 0.4 bcm.
At the same time, this decrease was partially offset by
production growth in the US by 4.5 bcm, China by 2.9 bcm, Russia by
1.3 bcm, Canada by 0.9 bcm, and Nigeria by 0.6 bcm," the IEF report
noted.
The review also notes that natural gas demand in countries
reporting to JODI increased in August 2026 by 1.8 bcm compared to
July and by 6.1 bcm year-on-year.
"The monthly increase in demand was mainly driven by higher
consumption in Canada by 1.8 bcm, the U.S. by 0.9 bcm, Australia
and Germany by 0.4 bcm each, and Qatar by 0.3 bcm.
Meanwhile, demand declined in Japan by 0.9 bcm, Italy by 0.7
bcm, and Indonesia by 0.4 bcm.
In year-on-year terms, demand growth was primarily driven by
increased consumption in the U.S. by 4.7 bcm, Canada by 2.9 bcm,
and Indonesia by 0.6 bcm," IEF reported.
According to the IEA data, year-on-year demand for natural gas
also fell in Qatar by 2 bcm and in Japan by 0.4 bcm.
