Articles - infoPIPELINE
Natural Gas 101
By Sherryll Sobie
What's Natural Gas?
Natural
gas is the cleanest burning conventional fuel, producing 45 per
cent less carbon dioxide than coal and 30 per cent less than
fuel oil when burned. Its origins go back about 500 million
years when tons of small plants and tiny crab-like creatures
known as trilobites lived in the sea and, over time, decayed
into tiny bubbles of colourless, odourless gas, trapped in the
pores of rock deep underground.
How's it Discovered?
Natural gas is discovered through the use of scientific methodologies and highly technical tools including:
Seismology, the study of how energy, in the form of seismic waves, moves through the earth's crust and interacts differently with various types of underground formations. These interactions are studied by geophysicists to determine the properties that lie beneath, including natural gas.
Magnetometers, devices that measure the small differences in the earth's magnetic field. In 1981, NASA launched a satellite equipped with magnetometer technology, capable of taking magnetic measurements on a continental scale. This satellite, called Magsat, allows for the study of underground rock formations and the earth's mantle on a larger scale and provides clues as to the location of deposits of petroleum, natural gas and other valuable minerals.
Geophysicists also use gravimeters to measure and record the difference in the earth's gravitational field to gain a better understanding of what's underground and whether it has the potential for containing hydrocarbons like natural gas.
When data suggests a high probability of hydrocarbon formations, geologists then dig test holes to study the composition of the underground rock layers in detail.
What Happens Next?
Once natural gas is located, a permanent well is built. The gas then flows through pipes to a plant where it's cleaned. Other gases like butane and propane are removed during processing to make natural gas 95 per cent methane. Natural gas is odourless so mercaptan is added to give natural gas a distinctive odour as a safety feature in the event of a leak.
So the next time you turn on your natural gas furnace, range or other gas appliance, take a moment to consider where your gas comes from – as well as the science and scientists behind it. All work in combination to provide you and your family the safe and low-cost energy you need to stay warm, cook your meals, dry your clothes and do a whole host of other wonderful things.
Want more? Go to
uniongas.com/aboutus to learn
more about Union Gas and our products and services.
