Global demand for gas to grow by 17% by 2017. According to the latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on the world gas market by 2017, gas consumption will gather pace over coming years in the United States and Asia. Demand is expected to stagnate in Europe. In 2011, the world as a whole consumed 60 billion cubic metres more than in 2010, while in Europe gas consumption was in decline last year with 50 billion cubic metres less, i.e. a decline of 8.7%. World demand for gas is expected to increase by 17% within five years to reach nearly 4,000 billion cubic metres. According to the IEA, the rise in world demand for gas will be stronger than for any other fossil energy until 2035. It is the United States and Asia, especially China, that will be behind the rise. Within two years, China should become the third largest gas consumer on the planet, behind the United States and Russia. On the basis of the current rate of growth, its consumption is expected to double by 2017, which should make the country one of the largest global importers. In parallel, the Fukushima disaster in Japan has prompted the government to change its energy supply policy, and Japan is expected to tend increasingly to liquefied natural gas, imported at very high price. In the Middle East, a region whose role is often limited to that of producer, demand is also strong with a 5.4% increase over the year (+25% by 2017). In the United States, however, it is the low gas prices that will spur on demand. Development of shale gas production has meant that prices have collapsed, with their lowest level for ten years reached early this year. The IEA predicts a 12% rise in US gas consumption by 2017. On the other hand, in Europe, gas prices are indexed to oil prices and gas demand is not expected to surge. The poor economic situation and progress made by electricity from renewable energy sources will also keep demand for gas down. By 2017, Europe will consume less gas than in 2010. (IL/transl.jl)