| Energy experts across the world share the | | | | chemicals, automobiles, food and industrial |
| belief that natural gas is most likely to | | | | sectors.The wholesale price of natural gas in |
| displace gasoline in the future, since | | | | the US during the 1990s was about $2 per |
| natural gas is a cleaner and a more efficient | | | | thousand cubic feet (Mcf). This price, |
| fuel than gasoline. Moreover, with oil | | | | according to the U.S. Energy Information |
| supplies getting smaller with each passing | | | | Administration, is predicted to reach $9 per |
| day, natural gas would perhaps be the only | | | | Mcf during the current 2005-2006 winter |
| option left for meeting all energy needs. Not | | | | seasons.Natural gas prices seem to be |
| surprising, natural gas today is experiencing | | | | affected the most by weather conditions. This |
| rising popularity in the US, Asia and Europe. | | | | sensitivity to weather is evident during |
| Another crucial factor that is driving the | | | | winters, when people tend to use more gas for |
| popularity of natural gas is the concern that | | | | generating heat. During summers there is an |
| oil supplies are getting exhausted very | | | | increased demand for cooling, which |
| fast.simple supply and demand model dictates | | | | translates to a higher demand for electricity |
| natural gas prices. As supplies become scarce | | | | to power air-conditioning units.Analysts who |
| and demand picks up, the price of natural gas | | | | have observed the trends in natural gas |
| increases. Consequently, natural gas price | | | | prices in recent years are of the opinion |
| treads an extremely tight balance between | | | | that natural gas as a fuel option is a |
| supply and demand in its endeavor to meet | | | | disaster waiting to happen. The analysis is |
| increasing demand from homeowners, | | | | not without reason. It is now clear, from |
| businesses, factories, schools and | | | | recent happenings that a few months of |
| power-generation plants. Today, natural gas | | | | inclement weather can result in severe |
| meets about one-fourth of the total energy | | | | shortages and skyrocketing prices. And worst, |
| needs of the US, and is considered the | | | | there is little supply side solution. |
| backbone of the manufacturing, steel, glass, | | | | |