Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 1
Written by Nicolae MINEA, Liviu MARCUTA, Alina MARCUTA, Levente DIMEN, Péter UDVARDY, Cristiana BUZATU, Maricel CAZACU

Natural gas infrastructure is still a hot topic for researchers and policymakers in a world where energy transition and supply security are important issues. In addition to being crucial for getting resources to consumer markets, natural gas pipelines also bring up concerns about sustainability, the economy, and the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the development of research on natural gas infrastructure, identifying the key subjects examined in the specialized literature, the global research collaborations, and the new avenues that have the potential to influence the field's future. Applying bibliometric techniques to the Scopus database, the analysis showed that the research was fragmented in multiple directions. The first path is the technical and operational one, which aims to maximize the transportation of energy resources and increase the efficiency of gas pipelines. Studies that concentrate on energy security policies and the incorporation of natural gas into domestic and global economic strategies represent a second trend, which is represented by economic factors and market rules. A third dimension of research, which has gained momentum recently, concerns the energy transition and reducing the ecological impact of natural gas, in particular by exploring alternative solutions such as green hydrogen and integrating existing infrastructure with new energy technologies. A key result of the study is that, although the impact of gas pipelines on agriculture is significant, this topic is insufficiently explored in the specialized literature. Gas pipelines can affect soil quality, farmland fertility and value, and farmers in affected areas often face land use restrictions and additional costs for soil restoration. As the energy transition becomes a global priority, future research will need to focus not only on making gas transport more efficient and reducing emissions, but also on how this infrastructure interacts with other economic sectors, especially agriculture. Gas pipelines are not only a component of the energy system, but also a factor with significant economic and ecological implications, which must be thoroughly understood in order to be managed effectively. In conclusion, this study highlights that natural gas infrastructure remains a critical topic for the global energy future, but requires a more integrated approach that includes economic, social and environmental aspects.

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