GK: Which 4 countries in the world possess the largest gas reserves, and which country supplies the most LPG to India?

Largest Supplier of LPG: India is one of the world's largest consumers of LPG, with over 330 million households utilizing LPG cylinders—more than 100 million of which belong to beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Scheme. Approximately 30 million tons of LPG are consumed annually in the country; of this, only about 40% (roughly 12.4 million tons) is derived from domestic production, while the remaining 60% must be imported. Let us first explore where the world's largest reserves of natural gas are located, as LPG is primarily derived from this source.

Which Four Countries Hold Over 50% of the Reserves?
It is worth noting that more than 50% of the world's total natural gas reserves are concentrated in just three or four countries. The first name on this list is Russia. In this regard, Russia ranks as the number one country globally, holding approximately 24% of the world's total reserves. It possesses vast fields such as Urengoy and Yamburg in Siberia. The second name is Iran. Iran ranks second in terms of natural gas reserves; it holds half of the South Pars–North Dome field located in the Persian Gulf. Next on the list is Qatar.

Qatar is the third-largest country in terms of natural gas reserves. Its North Field is the largest gas field in the world. Qatar is also the world's largest exporter of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). Similarly, Turkmenistan ranks fourth. It is endowed with abundant reserves, notably in the Galkynysh field. The United States (USA) ranks fifth in terms of gas reserves, but it holds the number one spot in terms of production. Significant reserves of shale gas are found in Texas and Pennsylvania. India also possesses some reserves—such as those in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin, Assam, Gujarat (Gulf of Khambhat), and Rajasthan—but these are insufficient relative to the country's consumption needs; consequently, India imports approximately 50% of the natural gas required to meet its domestic demand.

Where is the Highest Volume of Cooking Gas Produced Globally? Now, let's address the question: where is the highest volume of LPG (cooking gas) produced globally? LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is derived from oil refining and natural gas processing. The United States (USA) is the world's largest producer of LPG, accounting for over 25% of total global production. It is followed by countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Canada. India also ranks among the top five producers; however, due to its massive domestic demand, local production remains insufficient to meet requirements.

From where does India source the majority of its LPG?

Imports account for 60% of India's total LPG consumption. Qatar is India's largest supplier of LPG, providing 34% of the country's total imports. Recently, a major agreement worth $78 billion was signed between India and Qatar, ensuring the continued supply of 7.5 million tonnes of LNG annually until 2048. Additionally, India has entered into LPG supply agreements with other nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the USA, Oman, Australia, and Russia. In India, 14-kilogram cylinders—typically used for domestic cooking—account for 87% of the market share, whereas 19-kilogram commercial cylinders constitute a mere 13%. To reduce its reliance on imports, the Indian government is actively boosting production at domestic refineries. While domestic production has recently seen a 25% increase, supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East; consequently, India is now diversifying its import sources by increasing procurement from new suppliers such as the USA, Norway, Canada, and Russia.

Who holds the largest reserves?

Globally, the largest natural gas reserves are held by Russia, Iran, and Qatar; however, the USA remains the number one producer of LPG. Although India currently sources the majority of its LPG from Qatar, efforts are underway to diversify its supply base to ensure greater energy security.

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