Getting gas from rocks is relatively easy, but there are still environmental concerns
Increasing gas supply and demand for the fuel could set off a "golden age of gas", the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
The IEA report showed that demand for gas could outstrip coal by 2030, and get close to demand for oil by 2035.The agency points to the uncertain future of nuclear energy as one of the main reasons for gas becoming so popular.
The IEA said that growth in the sector would be led by China and the US.
"Ample supplies, robust emerging markets and uncertainty about nuclear power all point to a prominent role for gas in global energy mix," the IEA said in a report.
Main drivers China is endeavouring to use cleaner forms of fuel in the coming years and that is likely to increase the demand for gas substantially.
"Worldwide, 16 of the 20 most polluted cities are in China, largely related from coal power plant production," said Fatih Birol of the IEA.
"For this reason, China is pushing for gas to replace a lot of coal power production," he added.
Mr Birol added that China currently uses nearly as much gas as Germany, but given the growth potential, its consumption may exceed that of the entire European Union by 2035.
As for the demand from the US, the IEA said that 60% of the country's coal power plants are expected to be retired in the next 20 years.
"There is a strong chance that a large proportion (of those coal mines) will be replaced by gas," said Mr Birol.
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