Consumption in the industrial sector is expected to drive a 3.2% year/year (y/y) increase in global natural gas demand during 2021, according to a second quarter Gas Market Report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

This compares with a 2.8% increase forecast in the 1Q2021 report, IEA’s inaugural offering in the series.

The projected recovery would offset losses seen in 2020 and result in some net growth above 2019 levels, researchers said. “However, as mentioned in our previous quarterly report, this is likely to be a fragile and rather asymmetric recovery, as sectors and regions that have suffered the largest losses may not see the biggest gains.

“Moreover, the prospect of a prolonged impact of the pandemic on the global economy adds further...