maakaasutuotanto

Maakaasutuotanto refers to the process of extracting and processing natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel primarily composed of methane, which is formed over millions of years from the remains of organic matter. The extraction of natural gas typically involves drilling wells into underground reservoirs. These reservoirs can be found in various geological formations, including conventional gas fields, tight gas formations, and shale gas deposits.

Once extracted, the raw natural gas often contains impurities such as water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and heavier hydrocarbons. These substances must be removed through a process called processing or sweetening to meet pipeline quality specifications. Processing typically involves separating liquids like propane and butane, which can be sold as byproducts, and removing contaminants.

The processed natural gas is then transported to consumers via a network of pipelines. It is widely used as a fuel for heating homes and businesses, for industrial processes, and to generate electricity. While a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel compared to coal and oil, the combustion of natural gas still releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. The environmental impact of its extraction, particularly hydraulic fracturing used in shale gas production, is also a subject of ongoing debate and research.