Asia will install the bulk of new natural gas pipelines around the world up to 2022.

That’s according to a new report from GlobalData, which shows the region is set to add 49,321 kilometres of new pipework, accounting for more than 30% of the total planned globally.

This is expected to involve capital expenditure of around $74.2 billion (£57bn) during 2018–2022 and nearly 17,000 kilometres of this will be built in India.

Soorya Tejomoortula, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said: “The growing demand of natural gas is driving the growth of natural gas pipeline network in India.

“Burgeoning population, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, growing domestic consumption and the Indian government’s plans to electrify the rural areas are some of the drivers for natural gas demand in the country.”

In total, around 153,902 kilometres of new natural gas pipeline is planned to be installed before 2022, taking the total global natural gas pipeline length to around 1,392,605 kilometres by 2022.

North America is expected to $83.4 billion (£64bn) to add 24,682 kilometres of new pipes, with the region making up the former Soviet Union to spend around $96.3 billion (£74bn) to build 23,621 kilometres.