FOSSIL FUELS II NATURAL GAS

Mixture of light hydrocarbons: Mixture of light hydrocarbons:

In its natural state it has no color or odor. In its natural state it has no color or odor. Mercaptan is added to give a warning odor. Mercaptan is added to give a warning odor. Natural gas is traditionally a seasonal fuel – used for heating in winter. Natural gas is traditionally a seasonal fuel – used for heating in winter. Increasingly used for electrical generation and manufacture. Increasingly used for electrical generation and manufacture.

Burning Natural Gas Methane Methane 2CH 4 + 2O 2  CO 2 + 2H 2 O + energy 2CH 4 + 2O 2  CO 2 + 2H 2 O + energy

Cleaner burning than oil or coal. Cleaner burning than oil or coal. – –29% less CO 2 than oil – –44% less CO 2 than coal No sulfur dioxide No sulfur dioxide No mercury emissions. No mercury emissions. Low particulate emissions. Low particulate emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Methane is a greenhouse gas Methane is a greenhouse gas Greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs infrared light. This absorption may change the rate at which energy escapes into space and keep the Earth warmer. Greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs infrared light. This absorption may change the rate at which energy escapes into space and keep the Earth warmer.

Natural gas is used… A. Year-around B. Seasonally C. Primarily for electrical generation D. Primarily for transportation

Formed by same basic processes as oil. Formed by same basic processes as oil. Same geologic formations/locations as oil Same geologic formations/locations as oil Can be found in reservoirs with crude oil (associated gas) or alone in reservoirs (non- associated gas). Can be found in reservoirs with crude oil (associated gas) or alone in reservoirs (non- associated gas). Can also be found in coal beds. Can also be found in coal beds. Much of what we know about finding reserves we learned from searching for oil. Much of what we know about finding reserves we learned from searching for oil.

US Oil & Gas Locations

Oil and gas locations tend to overlap A. True B. False

The first gas well was drilled in The first gas well was drilled in Before the industry could expand, we had to build a pipeline system to deliver the gas to customers. Before the industry could expand, we had to build a pipeline system to deliver the gas to customers. After WWII, a high pressure pipeline network was constructed to serve the entire US. (over 1,000,000 miles of pipe.) After WWII, a high pressure pipeline network was constructed to serve the entire US. (over 1,000,000 miles of pipe.)

Natural Gas Pipeline Construction

Natural Gas Pipeline

Exploration Much of what we know comes from searching for oil. Much of what we know comes from searching for oil. Possible deep earth mechanism for production. Could signify a large (but deep) supply. Possible deep earth mechanism for production. Could signify a large (but deep) supply. Potential to generate methane from biological processes. Potential to generate methane from biological processes.

World Natural Gas Reserves 2015

US & World Gas Reserves and Production 2015

US & World Gas Reserves and Production 2005

Change in Recoverable Oil and Gas

Natural Gas Producers

Natural Gas Reserves

Who are the largest producers of natural gas? A. China, India, Malaysia B. Russia, US, Canada C. Sicily, Grenada, Micronesia D. Iran, Venezuela, Azerbaijan

Who has the largest reserves of natural gas? A. Russia, US, Canada B. Iran, Brazil, Nigeria C. Russia, Iran, Qatar D. Venezuela, Algeria, Azerbaijan

Natural Gas Producers

World Natural Gas Reserves 2008

Other Sources of Natural Gas Coal bed methane Coal bed methane Tight gas Tight gas Shale gas Shale gas Biological processes Biological processes

Other Sources of Natural Gas Tight gas Tight gas – –Natural gas that has gathered in small, poorly connected cavities between the rocks (mostly sandstone). Because this rock is not very porous the natural gas cannot flow freely to the well – –hydraulic fracturing “fracking” required to produce

Other Sources of Natural Gas Shale gas Shale gas –Natural –Natural gas that has remained in the rock where it formed – –Hasn’t migrated to more permeable rock – processes –Much more effort needed to produce processes

Other Sources of Natural Gas Coal bed methane Coal bed methane –Methane formed along with coal – –Remains in the coal bed – –Contains little heavier hydrocarbons (propane, butane) – –No hydrogen sulfide

Coal Bed Methane CBM extraction involves pumping large volumes of water from coal seams in order to release water pressure that traps gas within the coal. CBM extraction involves pumping large volumes of water from coal seams in order to release water pressure that traps gas within the coal. Very inexpensive to develop. Very inexpensive to develop.

CBM accounts for 10% of all domestic natural gas reserves and, In 2011, CBM accounted for 7.3% percent of U.S. dry gas production. The Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming has become a major supplier of coal bed methane. Since 2001, CBM production in the Basin has increased 200 percent to 332 billion cubic feet and now comprises almost 20 percent of U.S. annual CBM production.

Environmental Problems with CBM Discharge water at up to 100 gallon per minute per well. (15,000-20,000 wells) Discharge water at up to 100 gallon per minute per well. (15,000-20,000 wells) Discharge water is more “salty” than normal and can cause significant soil damage. Discharge water is more “salty” than normal and can cause significant soil damage. New roads and power lines to get to the wells New roads and power lines to get to the wells Large loud compressors. Large loud compressors.

CBM Discharge Pools

Should Coal Bed Methane development be allowed on public lands? 1. Yes 2. No

Other Sources of Natural Gas Argentine researchers discovered methane from cows accounts for more than 30 per cent of the country's total greenhouse emissions.

Storage Depleted natural gas or oil fields 86% Depleted natural gas or oil fields 86% Aquifers 10% Aquifers 10% Salt caverns 4% Salt caverns 4%

Storage