Natural Gas

The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas consisting of a carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Million years ago, the remains of plants and animals (diatoms) decayed and built in thick layers. To this decaying organic matter, over time, they covered the sand and silt, becoming stone. Pressure and heat changed part of this organic material into coal, oil and natural gas.

The search for natural gas is a geological study of the structure and processes of the Earth, where the types of rocks that may contain oil and gas deposits are located.

Some of the gases produced along with methane, butane and propane (also known as "products"), are separated and cleaned in a gas processing plant. The by-products, once removed, is used in a number of ways. For example, propane can be used for cooking on gas grills.

Natural gas withdrawn from a well may contain liquid hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon gases. This is known as "wet" natural gas. Natural gas is separated from these components near the well site or a processing plant for natural gas. The gas is then considered "dry" and sent through pipes to a local distribution company, and, ultimately, consumers.