How Was Natural Gas Formed?

Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decayed and built
up in thick layers.
This decayed matter from plants and animals is called organic material
Over time, the mud and soil changed to rock, covered the organic material
and trapped it beneath the rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this
organic material into coal, some into oil (petroleum), and some into
natural gas.
The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas composed of one
carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

importance of natural gas

One fuel, many advantages
Natural gas will play a key role in meeting our energy needs.
Here are a few reasons why it is one of world's most important forms of
energy:
1. clean: Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, with 30% less
carbon than oil, and as much as 60 %less carbon than coal. Burning
natural gas in place of other fuels can reduce emissions and
contribute to cleaner air quality.
2. abundant: Gas resources are found in different regions of world in
big amounts.
3. reliable: We can access natural gas when we need it, through well
established networks of pipelines that bring natural gas safely and
reliably.
4. versatile: The versatility of natural gas makes it an important
foundation fuel. In our live , we burn natural gas for heating and
cooking. Industry depends on natural gas to create process heat
and steam, and as a raw material in making petrochemicals and
fertilizers.

effect of natural gas in the environment

Natural gas is one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuels; complete
combustion produces mainly water vapour and carbon dioxide. The
amount of greenhouse gas released from natural gas is significantly
lower than emissions from wood, coal and oil. When natural gas
replaces these other fuels, emissions of greenhouse gases are
significantly reduced.
However, if produced irresponsibly, it creates serious environmental and health
risks, and wastes a valuable energy resource. To reduce these impacts, were
working to make sure natural gas is produced as safely as possible.

main risk of natural gas :

Methane is the primary component of natural gas, If methane is allowed to
leak into the air it absorbs the sun's heat, warming the atmosphere will
increasing.
For this reason, it's considered a greenhouse gas, like carbon dioxide ,
While methane doesn't linger as long in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide,
it is initially far more devastating to the climate because of how effectively
it absorbs heat.
methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

References:

https://www.edf.org (Environmental Defense Fund)

http://www.energy.alberta.ca/
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/
https://mitei.mit.edu
http://www3.epa.gov/ (Environmental Protection Agency)
http://www.ei.lehigh.edu/
http://www.imperialoil.ca/