NATURAL GAS

   Origin:

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 -- it was once alive.  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 -- tiny bubbles of odourless gas. 

Extraction:

Scientists and engineers explore a chosen area by studying rock samples from the earth and taking measurements.  If the site seems promising, drilling begins.  Some of these areas are on land but many are offshore, deep in the ocean.  Once the gas is found, it flows up through the well to the surface of the ground and into large pipelines. 

  Uses:

Natural gas is also an essential raw material for many common products, such as: paints, fertilizer, plastics, antifreeze, dyes, photographic film, medicines, and explosives.  We also get propane, a fuel we use in many of our backyard barbecue grills, when we process natural gas.

Industry depends on it. Natural gas has thousands of uses.  It's used to produce steel, glass, paper, clothing, brick, electricity, etc…

Homes use it too. More than 62.5 percent of homes use natural gas to fuel stoves, furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers and other household appliances.  It is also used to roast coffee, smoke meats, bake bread and much more.

Producer regions the most important producers of natural gas are: Russia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Algeria.