Gaz naturel

Définition:
Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed primarily of methane (CH₄), with small amounts of other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, and butane. It is a cleaner-burning energy source widely used for electricity generation, heating, and as an industrial feedstock.

Characteristics of Natural Gas

  1. Physical Properties
    • Colorless and Odorless: Mercaptan is added for safety to give it a detectable smell.
    • Density: Lighter than air, making it prone to rising and dispersing in open spaces.
    • State: Exists as a gas under standard atmospheric conditions; can be liquefied (LNG) for transport.
  2. Chemical Composition
    • Primarily methane (70–90%), with traces of ethane, propane, butane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
  3. Energy Content
    • High calorific value, approximately 38 MJ/m³.
Formation of Natural Gas
  1. Biogenic Gas: Formed through the microbial breakdown of organic material near the Earth’s surface.
  2. Thermogenic Gas: Produced from the decomposition of organic matter under high heat and pressure over millions of years.
  3. Sources: Often found alongside oil deposits (associated gas) or in isolated reservoirs (non-associated gas).
Types of Natural Gas
  1. Conventional Natural Gas
    • Found in traditional underground reservoirs.
  2. Unconventional Natural Gas
    • Shale Gas: Extracted from shale formations through hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
    • Tight Gas: Trapped in impermeable rock and requires advanced drilling techniques.
    • Coalbed Methane (CBM): Extracted from coal seams.
  3. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
    • Natural gas that has been cooled to −162°C for easier transport and storage.
  4. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
    • Natural gas compressed to high pressure for use in vehicles and small-scale applications.
Uses of Natural Gas
  1. Electricity Generation
    • Used in power plants as a cleaner alternative to coal.
  2. Heating and Cooling
    • Commonly used for residential and commercial heating, water heating, and air conditioning.
  3. Industrial Applications
    • Feedstock for ammonia production (fertilizers) and petrochemicals.
    • Heat source for industries like steel, cement, and glass manufacturing.
  4. Transportation
    • Used as fuel for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), offering lower emissions compared to gasoline or diesel.
  5. Hydrogen Production
    • A key source of hydrogen through steam methane reforming.
Environmental Impact of Natural Gas
  1. Benefits
    • Cleaner-burning compared to coal and oil, producing fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) and pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
    • Versatility and efficiency in various applications.
  2. Challenges
    • Methane Leakage: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with significant impact on climate change.
    • Extraction and Transport: Fracking and pipeline leaks can harm local ecosystems and communities.
    • Non-renewable: As a fossil fuel, it contributes to GHG emissions and is finite.
Production and Distribution
  1. Extraction
    • Conventional drilling, hydraulic fracturing (for shale gas), or horizontal drilling.
  2. Traitement
    • Natural gas is cleaned to remove impurities like water, sulfur, and other gases.
  3. Transport
    • Pipelines: Used for regional transport of natural gas.
    • LNG Carriers: Used for global trade.
    • CNG Storage: Used for localized distribution.
  4. Storage
    • Underground storage facilities, including depleted reservoirs, salt caverns, and aquifers.

Global Natural Gas Market

  1. Producteurs majeurs
    • Pays supérieurs: United States, Russie, Iran, Qatar, and China.
    • Shale Gas Leaders: U.S. and Canada are dominant in shale gas production.
  2. Consumers
    • Largest consumers include the U.S., China, and the European Union.
  3. Trade and Exports
    • LNG Exporters: Qatar, Australia, and the U.S. lead the global LNG trade.
    • Importers: Japan, China, and South Korea are the largest LNG importers.
  4. Pricing
    • Influenced by supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and seasonal fluctuations.
Future of Natural Gas
  1. Role in Energy Transition
    • Seen as abridge fuelto transition from coal and oil to renewable energy sources.
  2. Technological Advances
    • Improved efficiency in extraction, transport, and storage.
    • Development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to mitigate emissions.
  3. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
    • Biogas produced from organic waste, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional natural gas.
  4. Long-term Outlook
    • Demand for natural gas is expected to grow in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, while declining in regions prioritizing renewables.

 

POUR TOUTES QUESTIONS OU AUTRES SOLUTIONS, CONTACTEZ NOUS S'IL VOUS PLAIT.