Natural Gas Facts

Natural gas is a mixture of a number of hydrocarbon gases that can be burnt to release high amounts of energy. Though primarily consisting of methane, natural gas comprises other gases like ethane, butane, propane and pentane in small amounts. Natural gas, a fossil fuel, is more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels, as besides carbon dioxide and water vapor, it does not release any other harmful substance, into the atmosphere.

Formation

Like all other fossil fuels, natural gases are formed from the remains of plants and animals. When these organisms die, they get buried under the ground. As time passes, and more and more layers of earth cover the dead organic matter, they are pushed down deeper into the earth. After having been subjected to years of high temperature and pressure, the dead remains of plants and animals change into fossil fuels. While at lower temperatures (in layers of the earth closer to the surface) oil is formed, at higher temperatures (found deeper down) natural gas is formed. In fact, the deeper deposits, formed far below the earth's surface, usually contain only natural gas, primarily methane. Such methane is known as thermogenic methane. Besides this process, there are also micro-organisms that break down organic matter to produce methane. This methane is called biogenic methane.

Other Facts

• Existence of natural gas was known to people of ancient Greece, India, and Persia, in the form of burning springs. These springs were created when fountains of natural gas, seeping out from cracks in the ground, were ignited due to lightning.
• As per the data for 2006, Russia had the largest deposits of natural gas (27%). Middle Eastern countries have a total of about 40% of the world's share of natural gas reserves, with Iran having almost a 14% share.
• There are over a million miles of gas pipelines laid, needed to meet the energy needs of the US alone.
• Natural gas was used for the first time in the US in 1816, to light street lights in Baltimore.
• Over 90% of the natural gas requirements of the US are fulfilled from deposits found in the country itself.
• Natural gas is third most widely used fuel in the US, after petroleum and coal.
• According to the Energy Information Administration, natural gas provides for 24% of the total energy needs of US.
• More than 62% homes in the country rely on natural gas to run stoves, water heaters, furnaces and other home appliances.
• Industries are the largest consumers of natural gas. Besides being used to produce energy by industries, natural gas is also used as an ingredient in the manufacture of fertilizers, paints, ink and glue.
• Natural gas can be used in fuel cells to produce electricity, in place of batteries. This may increase the efficiency of electricity generation.
• Although natural gas pipelines and storage facilities have high standards of safety, companies add a smelly substance to it, so that the leakage of this colorless, odorless gas can be identified.
• The energy content of natural gas is measured in terms of British Thermal Unit (BTU). One BTU is said to be the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In the US, however, retail sales are done in units of Therms. 1 Therm = 1028 BTU.
• States which produce large amounts of natural gas are Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alaska and Wyoming.
• Despite its various uses one of the major disadvantages of natural gas is that it is highly combustible, due to which explosions are very likely.
• Natural gas requires sophisticated treatment plants and underground pipelines to be delivered to the site where it will be used. These installations are expensive and require high maintenance.

Despite its various disadvantages, natural gas scores over other fossil fuels because it is a clean fuel that produces a greater amount of energy than electricity, at a comparatively lesser cost. Huge deposits of natural gas, still untapped, are believed to be existing underground. If these can be accessed and used, it would meet a large part of energy requirements, the world over.