Population growth, which is estimated to eclipse 8 billionby 2030, makes the demand for the clean-burning fuel almost inevitable, Stinis toldan afternoon audience at LNG 17 in Houston on Wednesday.

Gas is the “ideal fuel” to satisfy demand, Stinis said. Itis “clean” and “easy to transport” and will replace coal over the next 20 years,not only in Europe but worldwide, he predicted.

However,