2. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
50 – 90% methane (CH50 – 90% methane (CH44), with some ethane,), with some ethane,
propane, butane and hydrogen sulfidepropane, butane and hydrogen sulfide
Conventional natural gasConventional natural gas – above crude oil– above crude oil
reservoirs – captured then distributed viareservoirs – captured then distributed via
pipelines – often burned off as waste if notpipelines – often burned off as waste if not
capturedcaptured
3. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
Unconventional natural gasUnconventional natural gas – in coal beds,– in coal beds,
bubbles trapped in ice crystals under Arcticbubbles trapped in ice crystals under Arctic
permafrost (gas hydrates), beneath deep-permafrost (gas hydrates), beneath deep-
ocean sediments, in shale rocksocean sediments, in shale rocks
4. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
Versatile – 28% of U.S. energy needsVersatile – 28% of U.S. energy needs
Generates electricity, heats homes, cooking, carsGenerates electricity, heats homes, cooking, cars
Releases less COReleases less CO22 than oil and coalthan oil and coal
Releases methane (from leaks)Releases methane (from leaks)
Currently inexpensiveCurrently inexpensive
Major jobs in Wyoming, but crashes tooMajor jobs in Wyoming, but crashes too
Has resulted in reductions in coal useHas resulted in reductions in coal use
5. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
Liquefied petroleum gasLiquefied petroleum gas ((LPGLPG) – mostly) – mostly
propane and butanepropane and butane
Stored in pressurized tanksStored in pressurized tanks
Mostly for rural areasMostly for rural areas
6. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
Liquefied natural gasLiquefied natural gas ((LNGLNG) – cooled for) – cooled for
shippingshipping
Highly explosive, potential terrorist targetHighly explosive, potential terrorist target
Proposal (rejected) to build floating storageProposal (rejected) to build floating storage
regasification unit in LIS - Broadwaterregasification unit in LIS - Broadwater
7. NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS
Some analystsSome analysts
see natural gassee natural gas
as the best fuel toas the best fuel to
help us make thehelp us make the
transition totransition to
improved energyimproved energy
efficiency andefficiency and
greater use ofgreater use of
renewable energyrenewable energy
8. FrackingFracking
Hydraulic fracturingHydraulic fracturing ((frackingfracking) – injecting a) – injecting a
pressurized mix of water, sand and highlypressurized mix of water, sand and highly
toxic chemicals directly into gas-rich shaletoxic chemicals directly into gas-rich shale
formations to release the natural gasformations to release the natural gas
Highly controversialHighly controversial
10. Benefits of FrackingBenefits of Fracking
JobsJobs
InexpensiveInexpensive
Increases natural gas suppliesIncreases natural gas supplies
Natural gas is cleaner burning than coal andNatural gas is cleaner burning than coal and
oiloil
11. Problems with FrackingProblems with Fracking
Uses lots of waterUses lots of water
Leaking methane – atmosphere and waterLeaking methane – atmosphere and water
CHCH44 is potent GHGis potent GHG
Unknown hazardous chemicals in fluidsUnknown hazardous chemicals in fluids
Strip mining to obtain required sandStrip mining to obtain required sand
Induced seismicityInduced seismicity – human– human
caused earthquakescaused earthquakes
12. FrackingFracking
Marcellus ShaleMarcellus Shale – sedimentary rock– sedimentary rock
formation with natural gasformation with natural gas
Gov. Cuomo banned fracking in NY (Dec.Gov. Cuomo banned fracking in NY (Dec.
2014) after 7-year study2014) after 7-year study
13. FrackingFracking
2005 Energy Policy Act – excluded fracking2005 Energy Policy Act – excluded fracking
process from certain regulations under Safeprocess from certain regulations under Safe
Drinking Water ActDrinking Water Act
Other loopholes from other federal lawsOther loopholes from other federal laws
