The United States will assume the presidency of the International Gas Union (IGU) on Friday at the 26th World Gas Conference in Paris and will lead the worldwide non-profit organization for the next three years.

Two members of the American Gas Association (AGA) will assume leadership posts at IGU. David Carroll, president of the Gas Technology Institute — an entity supported by the AGA and the American Public Gas Association — will serve as IGU president. AGA CEO Dave McCurdy will serve as chairman of the 2018 World Gas Conference National Organizing Committee. The 27th World Gas Conference, scheduled for June 2018, will be held in Washington, DC.

IGU membership includes more than 140 associations and corporations, from 91 nations, that are active in the natural gas industry, and which collectively represent more than 95% of the global gas market. Established in 1931, the union covers the entire gas spectrum, including exploration and production (E&P), transmission, distribution, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the combustion of gas at the point of use. It has more than 1,000 members.

“IGU plays an important role, bringing together industry executives, operators and technologists in a variety of knowledge-sharing venues,” Carroll said. “We learn from each other, identify areas of common need and work together to educate the public about the benefits of natural gas, promote its use and advance the strategic interests of the industry. A major focus of our leadership term will be to raise the visibility of IGU and to raise the voice of gas across the globe.”

McCurdy concurred. “This is a critical opportunity to capitalize on the United States’ role as a global energy leader,” he said. “Our technological advancements, abundant supply of clean natural gas and vast delivery network can not only benefit our nation, but can change the way we use energy throughout the globe.

“Over the next three years, the U.S. will lead a global conversation about the best way to deliver essential energy while boosting our global economy and improving our environment through smart policies and best practices that encourage the strategic use of natural gas.”

Mel Ydreos, of the consulting firm EnergyVantage, will serve as chairman of the IGU coordination committee. Jay Copan, of Barage Energy Consulting LLC, will serve as executive director of the 2018 World Gas Conference and as special advisor to the IGU president.

According to the AGA, the objectives of the U.S. team will include aiding the gas industry’s ability to access energy resources; promoting the timely buildout of infrastructure; working to create new areas of demand for gas; reducing barriers to commercial trade; and building on the industry’s “social license” by building on its “long history of safe and responsible gas production, transport and delivery.”

The U.S. will assume the presidency from France, which held the post for the 2012-2015 triennium. The U.S. was elected to become the next country to lead the IGU at a meeting in Croatia in October 2011.

This week, IGU released eight reports on global markets. These include a wholesale gas price survey report; a biogas report; a report on the prospects for natural gas by 2050; a world LNG report; a report on LNG as a fuel; a report on small-scale LNG; a report on remote LNG; and a life cycle assessment of LNG report.