Natural Gas

Natural gas is almost always found in deposits of petroleum. When the petroleum is drilled, natural gas is also recovered. Wells with only natural gas also exist.

Once the natural gas is recovered, certain fuels that have primarily automative purposes are extracted by processes called condensation or absorption. The remaining gas is piped directly for commercial and residential applications. Many houses, offices, and other buildings are heated by natural gas heaters.

The western hemisphere, Europe, and parts of Africa contain the largest natural gas deposits. The gas is usually transported by pipelines.

Compared to petroleum and coal, natural gas is relatively clean-burning. Because it contains only trace portions of sulfur and nitrogen, emissions of the harmful byproducts associated with combustion of other fossil fuels are minimal.

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