Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, considered in a commentary for RIA Novosti the potential risks for natural gas deficit in the second half of XXI century and underlined the necessity to invest in technologies and alternative energy already now.
The expert cited modern research data indicating the limited nature of proven reserves. "A 2024 study by the University of Tulsa (USA) based on an analysis of the reserves-to-production ratio, that is, an economic calculation of how many proven reserves exist to meet demand at the current level of resource consumption and the state of technology, estimated that gas reserves will be sufficient for the next 50 years (until 2075)," said Antonina Levashenko. She noted that these estimates are conditional, as they are based on current levels of consumption and technology.
To prevent a possible shortage, measures must be taken now, the expert believes. "If the world is expecting a gas reserve deficit after 2075, to cover it requires investing now in new production technologies to explore hard-to-reach, undeveloped fields, sustainably integrating cleaner energy sources (renewable energy, hydrogen) into the energy mix, including political advancement of energy efficiency objectives," Antonina Levashenko emphasized.