Naturgas

Naturgas, also known as natural gas, is a naturally occurring fossil fuel composed primarily of methane (CH4). It forms over geological timescales and is found in underground reservoirs, either in association with crude oil or as standalone gas fields. Natural gas also contains smaller amounts of ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and natural gas liquids. It is typically present in porous rock formations and is retrieved through drilling.

After extraction, the gas is processed to remove water, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and heavier hydrocarbons, and to separate natural gas liquids. Odorants such as mercaptans are added to give a detectable smell for leaks. For long-distance transport, natural gas may be cooled and converted to liquefied natural gas (LNG) for shipping, or compressed for pipeline transmission. LNG is regasified at import terminals before distribution.

Natural gas is used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation, and serves as a feedstock for chemicals and fertilizers via steam methane reforming. It is distributed through domestic gas networks and international pipelines, with LNG markets enabling global trade. It is often described as a cleaner fossil fuel relative to coal and oil when burned.

Environmental and safety considerations include methane’s potency as a greenhouse gas when released and lifecycle emissions associated with production, processing, and transport. Combustion emits less CO2 than coal or oil per unit of energy, but methane leakage can offset some benefits. It is flammable and poses explosion risks, so safety measures include odorization, leak detection, pipeline integrity management, and regulatory oversight.