Gazprom sees rise in natural gas demand

MOSCOW, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The management committee of Gazprom predicted a rise in the demand for natural gas in markets in North America, Asia and Europe.

Gazprom considered trends in natural gas demands in the global energy market.

The management committee noted demand for natural gas was on the rise. Russian gas sales to Europe passed figures in 2008 and 2007 beginning in July 2009, Gazprom said.

The gas monopoly said European customers were taking 15 percent more gas on several days in October when compared with 2008 levels. In the domestic market, daily gas consumption is on par with levels from October 2008, the company reported.

The committee said findings from research by Gazprom shows a "strong indication" of a long-term increase in natural gas demand in world energy markets.

In Europe, the company predicts a 12.5 percent increase in gas consumption to 24.7 trillion cubic feet per year by 2020.

Gas consumption in North America is expected to rise 6.5 percent to 31 trillion cubic feet per year and 59 percent to 25 trillion cubic feet for the Asia-Pacific region by 2020.