Natural gas is a fossil fuel like oil and coal. It is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly methane, and other gaseous substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide and, in some cases, helium. The mixtures that are mainly composed of methane are called dry mixtures, whereas those mainly containing hydrocarbons such as propane, and butane are called wet mixtures.

Before being distributed for use, natural gas is treated to eliminate carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which make it less flammable, and hydrogen sulphide, a corrosive and toxic gas. The result is mainly methane. Methane is the simplest gaseous hydrocarbon and is characterised by the smallest molecule, including one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH₄). It is lighter than the air (at a 15°C temperature and 1013.25 millibar pressure its specific weight is 0.678 kg/m³), it is colourless and odourless and not toxic.

It was very common in the primordial atmosphere of the Earth and probably contributed to the synthesis of the first amino acids and the creation of life on our planet.  Mixed with the air, methane becomes flammable only if its concentration ranges between 5 and 15%. Below 5% the quantity of natural gas is insufficient to start the combustion, whereas above 15% the oxygen is insufficient. At temperature of 15°C and atmospheric pressure 1 cubic metre of methane produces over 8 thousand calories. In those conditions one cubic metre of methane has an energy content equivalent to 1.2 kg of coal and 0.83 kg of oil.

Methane becomes liquid at a critical temperature of –83°C and a pressure of 45 bars. The transformation into the liquid state can take place by decreasing temperature or increasing pressure. For example, at –161°C methane becomes liquid at room pressure. The critical temperature of wet natural gases such as propane and butane, including 3 and 4 carbon atoms respectively, is higher than room temperature, therefore they become liquid simply by increasing pressure.

The origins of natural gas

On our planet hydrocarbons, including methane, are mainly located on rock pores that constitute the higher part of the Earth’s crust and result from chemical and physical processes that have taken place during the history of the Earth. 

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Where it is

The geographic location of gas reserves obviously mirrors that of oil: Russia, Iran and Qatar approximately have 54% of the total. Just like oil, the exploitation of gas fields takes place in a non-uniform way. 

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The reserves

World natural gas reserves total 213,253 billion cubic metres approximately (data refer to 31st December 2020). Such reserves include the currently known fields that can be exploited through the technology available to obtain an economic profit.

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A bit of history

In a manuscript by the Chinese historian Chang Qu dated 347 B.C. a strange gas is described that can be used for illumination purposes. Approximately 200 years ago, Alessandro Volta “re-discovered” the energy potential of natural gas noticing small gas bubbles which formed when the muddy bottom of the Maggiore lake was stirred.

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