Historically, the gas industry relied on local distribution grid systems that began expanding in the early twentieth century. Post‑World War II, the opening of large shale and offshore fields in the United States and the North Sea platform region spurred the construction of extensive interstate and intercontinental pipelines. This era also saw the establishment of the first commercial LNG terminals, enabling the shipment of liquidised gas across oceans where pipeline infrastructure was absent.
Today, the dominant mode of long‑distance gas transport remains the global pipeline network. In Europe, massive interconnectors link the UK, Nordstreams to Russia, the Trans‑European natural gas system, and several cross‑border loop pipelines. LNG terminals operate in many countries lacking pipeline links, allowing import via large floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs). CNG and LNG truck transport serve to deliver gas to remote or temporary sites and to complement pipeline distribution in urban areas with limited pipeline reach.
Regulatory oversight for gas transport is coordinated at national, regional, and international levels. In the EU, directives such as the Gas Directive (2014/94/EU) set harmonised safety, competition, and interconnection rules. Safety standards focus on leak detection, emergency shut‑off procedures, and the maintenance of high‑pressure equipment. Energy policy frameworks increasingly embed climate goals, encouraging the shift from fossil fuels to biogas and hydrogen, both of which can be integrated into existing transport infrastructure albeit with technical adaptations.
Emerging trends in gas transport include the electrification of compression systems, the deployment of cross‑border loop projects to enhance network resilience, and the adaptation of LNG carriers to carry hydrogen or ammonia blended with natural gas. These developments aim to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, increase flexibility in supply, and support the broader transition to a low‑carbon energy system.