Which country has the world's largest natural gas reserves?

Which country has the world's largest natural gas reserves?

• A. Iran
• B. Qatar
• C. Russia
• D. United States

Answer: (C)

Natural gas reserves are the amount of gas that can be recovered with current technology and economic conditions, i.e., proven reserves. By this measure, Russia has the largest proven natural gas reserves, thanks to massive fields in Western Siberia and other regions that have supported long-term, large-scale production. Iran and Qatar are also tremendously rich in gas—Iran with huge onshore and offshore fields and Qatar with the vast North Field—but their total proven volumes are not larger than Russia’s. The United States has significant reserves too, especially from shale, but not more than Russia. So the best answer reflects Russia’s position as the country with the largest proven natural gas reserves.

Natural gas reserves are the amount of gas that can be recovered with current technology and economic conditions, i.e., proven reserves. By this measure, Russia has the largest proven natural gas reserves, thanks to massive fields in Western Siberia and other regions that have supported long-term, large-scale production. Iran and Qatar are also tremendously rich in gas—Iran with huge onshore and offshore fields and Qatar with the vast North Field—but their total proven volumes are not larger than Russia’s. The United States has significant reserves too, especially from shale, but not more than Russia. So the best answer reflects Russia’s position as the country with the largest proven natural gas reserves.