All That Gas! 10 Natural Gas Facts

1. Natural gas is predominantly methane. Methane is the simplest saturated hydrocarbon comprising 4 hydrogen atoms bonded to 1 carbon atom, CH₄. It belongs to a group of compounds known as alkanes. When natural gas is used as a fuel, the reaction is the combustion of methane. Every 16 g of methane burnt in oxygen releases 810 kJ of energy on burning. The reaction is:

CH₄ + 20₂ -> CO₂ + 2H₂O

1. 40% of the natural gas produced in the United States in 2012 were from shale gas reserves. It is estimated that close to 50% of US natural gas production will come from shale reserves by 2035. The effect shale gas production has had in the US is discussed fully in this article: Shale Plays Offer Unprecedented Opportunities.
2. When considering gas reserves it is important to differentiate between proven and unproven reserves. Most lists suggest that the countries with the largest proven gas reserves are Russia, Iran and Qatar. Proven reserves (based on the latest figures in 2012) are:

1. The world’s largest non-associated gas field (non-associated means that the field is developed primarily for the gas it contains) is known as North Field/South Pars. It is found offshore under the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Iran and is shared by those countries. It started producing natural gas in 2003. It contains 19% of the world’s recoverable gas reserves at 36 trillion cubic meters.
2. The first recorded mention of natural gas is thought to have been in Iran over 4000 years ago. It was recorded that lightning ignited the natural gas seeps at the earth’s surface. It is thought that the first natural gas pipelines and wells were built in China around 200 BCE. The gas was used to heat and dry seawater to make brine and salt for food use.
3. The largest consumer of natural gas per capita is Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
4. Technically recoverable shale gas reserves (technically recoverable refers to gas that can be produced using current technology - the reserves might not be economically recoverable) are estimated to be:

1. The world’s longest natural gas pipeline stretches 8700 km from the Turkmenistan/China border to the south-east area of China. It delivers 30 billion cubic meters and benefits over 500 million people around Shanghai and Hong Kong. It is hoped that the pipeline will provide a stable gas supply for the next 30 years.
2. The largest producers and consumers of natural gas in the world are the United States and Russia.
3. If you collect the manure from one cow over 24 hours, and by anaerobic digestion turn it into biogas, you can generate just over 3 kW/hr of electricity. To power a 100 watt light bulb for one day requires just 2.4 kW/hr of electricity.