Artificial intelligence (AI) is making people want more natural gas. This fossil fuel was expected to be used less. Now, big energy companies think we will use more. This is because AI needs a lot of electricity. Data centers for AI use much power. This unexpected situation is changing energy plans. It could affect world stability and the move to cleaner energy.
Shell, a major energy company, expects natural gas use to grow until the 2040s. AI needs powerful computers. These computers need a lot of electricity. Natural gas power plants can start and stop quickly. They also produce fewer dirty gases than coal. So, they are important for meeting this growing need. Climate goals are still important. However, they are not as strong as energy needs right now.
More money is being invested in natural gas. Chevron is making more natural gas in Israel. They want to export more liquefied natural gas (LNG). Egypt and Chevron are talking about a gas field. This could help supply more energy in the region. Egypt sends gas to Lebanon and Syria. They plan to send more gas this winter. Chevron is also looking for gas in Syria and the Black Sea.
More facilities are being built for natural gas trade. Experts predict more LNG exports in the next two years. This will help meet the world's growing demand. AI's energy needs are a big reason. Countries also want different energy sources. For example, the European Union buys more LNG from the United States. This is because they use less energy from Russia.
However, this increase in natural gas has problems. The EU buying more from the US could be risky. The world's political situation is not always stable. People are still discussing the future of natural gas. It is seen as a temporary fuel. This is especially true in Asia. Strong economic growth and less coal use help Shell's predictions. AI needs a lot of power. But we need to decide if natural gas will be used for a long time. Or if it will just be a step towards renewable energy. The future of this fuel depends on technology, energy safety, and the environment.