Page 27 - Handbook of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing Principles and Practices

1.1. Introduction
Natural gas is the most energy efficient fossil fuel—it offers important energy saving benefits when
it is used instead of oil or coal. Although the primary use of natural gas is as a fuel, it is also a
source of hydrocarbons for petrochemical feedstocks and a major source of elemental sulfur, an
important industrial chemical. Its popularity as an energy source is expected to grow substantially
in the future because natural gas can help achieve two important energy goals for the 21st century
—providing the sustainable energy supplies and services needed for social and economic
development and reducing adverse impacts on global climate and the environment in general.
Natural gas consumption and trade have been growing steadily over the past two decades and
natural gas has strengthened its position in the world energy mix. Although the demand for natural
gas declined in 2009, as a result of the economic slowdown, it is expected to resume growth in both
emerging and traditional markets in the coming decades. Such increase in the near future will be
driven because of additional demand in current uses, primarily power generation. There is yet a
little overlap between the use of natural gas and oil in all large markets. However, there are certain
moves in the horizon, including the electrifying of transportation, which will push natural gas use
to ever higher levels.
This chapter gives the reader an introduction to natural gas by describing the origin and
composition of natural gas, gas sources, phase behavior and properties, and transportation
methods.

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