Platts: WGC: Oil companies face hurdles bringing new gas sources to market, says Total CEO

Unconventional sources of natural gas will continue to meet a growing share of global energy needs, but oil companies may face challenges over access to the resources and tough investment decision on LNG projects to bring the fuel to market, Total's chief executive Christophe de Margerie said Friday.

Speaking at the triennial World Gas Conference hosted by Malaysia, De Margerie said gas will become the second largest energy sources by 2030, boosted by unconventional sources and the switch to gas from nuclear generation in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster.

Unconventional source of gas from shale, tight formation and coal-bed methane already make up half the world's remaining gas resources which could last about 130 years at current rates of demand, De Margerie said.  MORE