1. Introduction to “Conventional” Natural Gas Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D. BIO / EES 105 at Wilkes University

2. What is natural gas? Composed mainly of methane and other molecules. About methane: Energy content: 55.7 kJ/g Vaporization point: -260oF 160oC

3. NG has two general forms ◦ Thermogenic – From breakdown of fossil organic matter below earth’s surface  Hundreds of feet to miles below surface  Need heat and pressure ◦ Biogenic – From breakdown of organic matter at earth’s surface.  Decomposition without oxygen  Wetlands, garbage dumps

4. Wet Gas Vs Dry Gas Dry Gas (Mainly methane) Wet Gas (Contains some ethane and propane)

5. Conventional vs Unconventional Natural Gas Conventional gas – Relatively easy to extract – Forms include Associated with oil Not associated with oil Can be onshore or offshore Unconventional gas – More difficult to extract – Derived from Shale, coal-bed

6. Geology of gas http://www.safehaven.com/article/16566/shale-gas-miracle-pill-or-empty-promise

7. Focus on Conventional Gas

8. How does thermogenic NG form? Organic matter gets buried by other sediments Breaks down without oxygen under pressure, forming hydrocarbons Temperature dependent ◦ Lower – petroleum ◦ Higher – methane Often gas mixed with petroleum, released when pressure reduced. http://climatekids.nasa.gov/carbon/

9. History of natural gas development See: http://www.mesaaz.gov/energy/nghistory.aspx#1851 First isolated by Chinese about 500 BC. ◦ Captured gas seeping from ground, piped it using crude pipelines. http://www.mesaaz.gov/

10. History of natural gas development Early 20 th Century Pipelines constructed to capture and transport Mid-19 th Century Burned off during oil production (flaring) http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/436826/enlarge http://scottbeveridge.blogspot.com/2011 _04_01_archive.html

11. Global Gas Production http://www.energytrendsinsider.com/tag/bp-statistical-review/

12. Conventional gas production - US

13. Gas utilization

14. Energy use of natural gas http://www.c2es.org/publications/natural-gas-markets-use-overview

15. Conventional well production Geologists find gas reservoir Drill borehole Case well in steel and concrete Gas flows upward Captured into pipeline

16. Wells sometimes need to be stimulated Add acid, water, or gases to promote NG flow from the well http://www.businessweek.com

17. Natural gas must be processed Remove impurities ◦ Hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane) ◦ Hydrogen sulfide ◦ Water vapor ◦ Nitrogen compounds

18. Gas distribution system http://www.c2es.org/publications/natural-gas-infrastructure

19. Major NG pipelines in US

20. NG can be compressed and liquified Both reduce volume making it easier to transport

21. CNG – Compressed to 1% original volume Used as a fuel for vehicles ◦ Cars, trucks, buses, locomotives ◦ Some engines run on both CNG and gasoline ◦ Common in Iran, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil ◦ Efforts to increase use in US http://gas2.org/ http://www.ngvglobal.com/

22. LNG – Cooled to -260 o F Has 2.4 times more energy than CNG Transported via trucks and ships where pipelines not present Must be stored in cryogenic tanks Not used as fuel http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn http://cryptome.org/eyeball/lng/lng-eyeball.htm

23. Conventional gas production – worldwide

24. Location of conventional natural gas

25. Pricing natural gas Natural gas sold by volume ◦ Typical basis 1000 cubic feet (Mcf) ◦ Also used  1 million cf (MMcf)  1 billion cf (Bcf)  1 trillion cf (Tcf) ◦ 1 Mcf = 1 million BTU

26. Pricing natural gas Different prices often quoted ◦ Wellhead – Unprocessed NG at well ◦ Henry Hub – Port in Louisiana, used as basis for NY Mercantile Exchange  Futures price – Contract price for specified amount of gas at specified time ◦ City Gate – Price paid by utility receiving gas from major pipeline ◦ Electric Power price – Paid by electric utility ◦ Residential price – Paid by consumer

27. Pricing natural gas http://geology.com/articles/natural-gas-prices/

28. Pricing long term trend http://geology.com/articles/natural-gas-prices/

29. Pricing NG – more recently http://marketrealist.com/2013/05/natural-gas-rig-count-fell-by-four-last-week- down-20-since-start-of-2013/

30. Pricing NG – Comparing fuels http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/02/us-households-will-save-billions-in-2012- from-falling-natural-gas-prices-offsetting-higher-gasoline-prices/

31. International price trends http://ourfiniteworld.com/2012/03/23/why-us-natural-gas-prices-are-so-low-are-changes-needed/

32. Benefits of Conventional Natural Gas High energy density Less polluting than coal Easy to transport Does not cause radioactivity Reliable

33. Drawbacks of Conventional Natural Gas Burning releases greenhouse gases Drilling and pipelines impacts habitat Supplies dwindling