BP’s Looney Says Natural Gas Demand to Surpass Pre-Covid Levels by Year-End Share on: LinkedIn Global natural gas demand is forecast to recover and eclipse 2019 levels by the end this year, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumption set to climb in Asia, according to BP plc. The London-based integrated energy major delivered its second quarter results on Tuesday, offering a robust outlook for natural gas and oil, even as it works to transform the portfolio toward lower carbon projects. CEO Bernard Looney during a conference call with investors said higher commodity prices, combined with more efficiencies, pointed to better days ahead.