Canadian natural gas
innovating growth
Industry Partners
About Natural Gas
Canada ranks fourth in the world in the size of its natural gas resources. The Canadian industry estimates that, as of 2019, the country has resources of 1,382 trillion cubic feet, which would satisfy 200 years of demand at current consumption levels.
Over the past decade, Canada’s natural gas distribution utilities have invested over $38 billion (CAD) in new capital projects and in the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of existing systems. In 2019, Canadian Gas Association (CGA) members invested over $4.7 billion (CAD).
The industry has improved extraction methods and benefits from an extensive and reliable transportation and distribution system ensuring a long-term supply of affordable natural gas across North America.
Today, industry delivers natural gas to over seven million customer locations in Canada through 573,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines and associated storage facilities. An estimated two-thirds of Canadians benefit from natural gas. Canadians use it to heat their homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. They also use it to generate electricity, fuel vehicles, and power industrial equipment. It is a versatile, reliable, affordable, and low-emission energy source.
Statistics
- The International Energy Agency forecasts global natural gas’s share of energy use will increase to 43 percent by 2040
- As of 2019, Canada is estimated to have 1,382 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources, an amount equal to over 200 years of current annual demand
- Natural gas meets 38 percent of Canadians' total energy needs
Innovation
Industry delivers affordable natural gas to over seven million customers through 573,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines. Canadians use natural gas not only to heat their homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, they also use it to generate electricity, fuel vehicles, and power industrial equipment.
Over the past decade, Canada’s natural gas distribution utilities have invested over $38 billion (CAD) in new capital projects and in the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of existing systems. In 2019, Canadian Gas Association members invested over $4.7 billion (CAD).
The industry has improved extraction methods. And it benefits from an extensive and reliable transportation and distribution system. These conditions promise a long-term supply of affordable natural gas across North America.
Environmental & Social Governance (ESG)
Natural gas utilities have been able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their distribution systems by over 20 per cent since 2000. This was done while the industry added thousands of kilometres of distribution lines and well over a million new customers during the same period.
Since 2013, Canada’s natural gas companies have invested over $1 billion (CAD) in energy efficiency programs. This reduced gas consumption by over 857 million cubic metres (approximately 1/3 the amount used in a year in Canada) and cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
More and more communities across Canada want natural gas – particularly remote northern and Indigenous communities where energy prices are high and energy systems can be less resilient. Engagement with Indigenous communities is a priority for Canada’s natural gas industry. It works with Indigenous people from extraction to end-use.