Natural gas, consisting of hydrocarbons, is found
mostly near an oil reserve. Like petroleum, natural gas also
requires refining. Heavy hydrocarbons like butane and propane are
extracted and the raw natural gas is turned into "dry gas." The
"dry gas" is the fuel; the butane and propane are used in
chemical industries.1
Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is very clean and it does
not produce harmful pollutants. However, the supply of natural
gas is quite limited. According to the World Energy Council,
there were only 420 Gtoe worldwide in 1993.2
Likewise, natural gas is also difficult to transport and store
due to its gaseous state. Nevertheless, natural gas is about 30%
more economical than other fossil fuels.