NATURAL GAS
The creation of natural gas
Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decomposed and built up in thick layers. This decomposed matter from plants and animals is called organic material (it was once alive). Over time, the mud and soil changed to rock, covered the organic material and captured it below the rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this organic material into coal, some into oil (petroleum), and some into natural gas (tiny bubbles of odorless gas). The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas (or compound) composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
Natural gas
The search for natural gas begins with geologists, locating the types of rock that are usually found near gas and oil deposits.
Nowadays, their tools include sesmic surveys, which are used to find the right places to drill wells. Seismic surveys use echoes from a vibration source at the earth´s surface (usually a vibrating pad under a truck built for this purpose) to collect information about the rocks below. Sometimes, it is necessary to use small amounts of dynamite to provide the vibration.
Scientists and engineers explore a chosen area by studying rock samples from the earth and taking measurements. If the site seems promising, drilling begins. Some of these areas are on land but many are in the ocean. Once the gas is found, it flows up through the well to the surface of the ground and into large pipelines. Some of the gases that are produced along with methane, such as butane and propane (also known as 'by-products'), are separated and cleaned at a gas processing plant. The by-products, once removed, are used in a number of ways. For example, propane can be used for cooking on gas grills.
Did you know that natural gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless? So, in order to distinguish it, mercaptan (a chemical that has a sulfur like odor) is added before distribution, to give it a distinct unpleasant smell (smells like rotten eggs). This serves as a safety device by allowing it to be detected in the atmosphere, in cases where leaks occur.
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