By its chemical composition, natural gas is the cleanest and most environmentally friendly fuel. Minimal environmental damage caused by gas combustion and high efficiency explain the demand for this type of fuel, large reserves of which are available in Russia and some other countries.

Natural gas fields

Shale gas production technology

In addition to the well-known natural gas, which forms the basis of the country's economy, there are deposits of its shale equivalent. It is much more difficult to produce shale gas, while doing great harm to the environment. Therefore, shale gas production is not so common, unlike natural gas.

Natural gas

Underground sources lie at a depth of several hundred meters to several kilometers. Underground rock has a porous structure in which gaseous matter accumulates. These pores are connected by channels and can represent vast areas. Visually, the natural gas field is a domed underground reservoir, the upper part of which is filled with gas. Below is heavier oil or produced water. The smaller the depth of the natural reservoir, the lower the cost of material extraction.

Natural gas production methods

Due to the pressure difference in the natural reservoir and on the surface of the earth, the gas outlet in the presence of an appropriate path occurs due to its own energy.An organization engaged in gas production needs to prepare several wells in the reservoir being developed, with which it is possible to compensate for pressure in different areas. The whole process from hydrocarbon production to its delivery to the final consumer is organized in such a way that the volatile substance is always in sealed containers.

To extract gas, drilling is carried out with the subsequent installation of sealed pipes in the well. Pipes are inserted into each other using the telescope method. The drilling rig is equipped with a powerful tool capable of breaking hard layers of stone. As the depth increases, rock resistance increases, and the speed decreases.

To strengthen the walls of the borehole and bring broken stone and soil to the surface, a special clay solution is pumped into the installation pipe. Rising back along the walls of the pipe, the solution brings spent rock to the surface, and also creates a dense protective layer on the walls. The resulting crust dries and becomes a natural strengthening. After extraction to the surface, the material is fed to special gas processing complexes.

Natural gas processing and transportation

The material extracted to the surface is not suitable for immediate use, since it contains a lot of impurities and water. Processing of the substance at special enterprises allows to reduce the amount of impurities to a minimum, as well as drain the gas and give it a familiar smell. As a result, the substance becomes suitable for shipment to the consumer.

Interesting fact: Pure natural gas is colorless and odorless. To detect leakage by smell, a small amount of odorants with a strong unpleasant odor is added to the gas.

Since natural gas occupies a large volume, transporting it in its present form is disadvantageous. The substance is cooled and compressed to a liquid state, as a result, its volume decreases by 640 times. Transportation of such material has long been worked out and can be carried out in several ways. The most beneficial is the transfer of natural gas through pipelines.

Material is transported through numerous networks and accumulates in underground storage in the same liquid form. To maintain a low temperature, the tanks are equipped with double walls of materials with low thermal conductivity and are placed underground. In addition to pipelines, gas can be transported by special tankers, demanded in the absence of appropriate networks.

Natural gas is currently the most efficient fuel. Its extraction, processing and transportation have long been worked out.

Low, in comparison with other sources of energy, the cost leaves no options for other types of fuel for use in the industrial sector and for heating the residential sector.