Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Clean, Efficient and Economical Energy Source

Natural gas now provides 23 percent of all energy consumed in the world. Before the second half of the 20th century it was just dismissed as a useless byproduct of oil production. It is the only fossil fuel that is clean-burning, composed of various hydrocarbon gases, mostly methane. Actually, the main products of the combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide and water vapor which are the same compounds we exhale when we breathe. Virtually, no ash or particulate matter are released. Natural gas is non-toxic, not poisonous or harmful to humans. It fuels electric power generators and heats homes and offices more efficiently than oil. It also can be used as a raw material in many consumer products, one being the increasingly popular plastics.

Because it is the cleanest-burning conventional fuel, it is environmentally friendly producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions than the heavier hydrocarbon fuels, coal and oil. Since it is so efficient, natural gas has historically been one of the most economical energy sources.

The International Energy Agency predicts that natural gas demand will grow by more than 67 percent through 2030. The range of applications include: industrial power, heating for both commercial buildings and residential homes, and transportation vehicles. Because of the relatively simple makeup of natural gas, there are fewer toxic and carcinogenic emissions from vehicles running on natural gas. Substantial reserves exist to meet the growing demand of natural gas. World natural gas reserves are estimated to exceed 6,000 trillion cubic feet, and significant natural gas volumes are yet to be discovered.

In its gaseous state, natural gas can be delivered to customers through pipeline systems. Natural gas is reliable in that the pipeline systems are not easily damaged or affected by changing weather conditions. Natural gas can also be turned into a liquid (LNG) so it can be shipped safely in specialized tankers to growing markets. Technology advances are developing gas-to-liquids stations as another alternative for commercializing gas resources. There also has been research done to create from natural gas, synthetic diesel fuel, lubricant base oils, and naphtha. GTL diesel is distinguished by its higher performance and lower environmental impacts as compared with traditional diesel fuels.

Numerous pipeline projects are necessary to link natural gas with growing markets. There are still portions of the nation that do not have pipelines reaching them yet. Energy companies like Triple Diamond Energy will continue to find, develop and deliver natural gas to meet rising energy demand.

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