Why Shell Is Making a Big Bet on Natural Gas

In an exclusive interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Shell CEO Peter Voser said his company [RDSA  2075.50    -24.50  (-1.17%)   ] plans to invest $20 billion in natural gas products globally over the next three years. (Read More: Can the Natural Gas Sector Save the US Economy?)“We are pursuing four options here in the U.S. to do something with the natural gas,” Voser said. “First, is to go into chemicals which then can be used for manufacturing industries. Second, using gas to go into liquids, generating synthetic diesel, base oils. Third, gas into transports for trucks and shipping industries. And finally, LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports out of the U.S.”

For Shell, which began its investment in natural gas in 2005 when oil was a mere $40 a barrel and natural gas skyrocketed to $13, the advantages of gas are very clear.

Natural gas futures rallied to the highest level of the year for a front-month contract before slipping slightly Thursday after the U.S. Energy Department reported the first winter heating season gas storage withdrawals. Forecasts for much colder temperatures across the East over the next week helped spur a three-day rally this week.

December natural gas futures [NGCV1  3.735    -0.025  (-0.66%)   ]rose to $3.83 per million BTUs Thursday morning, a more than 90 percent gain from the decade low sub-$2 prices this spring.

The conversion from natural gas into motor fuel, known as gas-to-liquid (GTL) conversion, is key in unlocking the benefits of natural gas and crucial to opening the door to future energy independence, Voser said.

More importantly, Shell has already patented this type of technology in Qatar, home to the largest gas-to-liquids plant in the world. Voser said Shell’s proprietary GTL plant and technology will eventually be brought to the U.S. Shell is currently looking into locations for a GTL plant along the Gulf Coast, Voser said. (Read More: The Math Behind the 100-Year, Natural-Gas Supply Debate.)

In one of the industry’s boldest forecasts, the International Energy Agency (IEA) earlier this week said it expects the U.S. to become the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer before 2020. The agency also forecast U.S. will be all but self-sufficient in its energy needs by 2035. Voser said his company’s projections mirror the IEA’s forecast very closely, but the right conditions are still needed for energy independence.

Natural gas can play a crucial role in gaining freedom from foreign oil. A very affordable and abundant domestic resource, the accumulation of natural gas supply has naturally depressed prices along the way, enough for many to deem the resource as an investment that lacks lucrative returns.

Though ample U.S. oil and gas supply exists, Voser stresses the need for U.S. energy policy that incentivizes companies like Shell to invest in technology and infrastructure to bring new supply to market. While he admitted the industry itself doesn’t generate a lot of jobs, the products which they produce — such as chemicals — can be used to re-industrialize the U.S.

—By CNBC’s Sharon Epperson and Judy Gee

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