| Though it takes just a flick of a switch for | | | | the source well to the processing plant. |
| the consumer to get natural gas, there is a | | | | • The interstate pipelines, which are |
| huge amount of behind-the-scenes activity | | | | used for natural gas transmission across |
| that is involved from the time natural gas is | | | | states clear across the country and |
| acquired from underground reserves, then | | | | intrastate pipelines, which are used for |
| processed and transported to the end user. | | | | natural gas transmission within the state. |
| The whole process involved in exploring oil | | | | The operational and technical details are the |
| and gas deposits is complex and full of risks | | | | same for inter-state and intra-state |
| and uncertainty. The trial-and-error element | | | | pipelines. • The distribution system, |
| is huge considering oil and natural gas is | | | | which transports natural gas from gas storage |
| only found thousands of feet underground. | | | | facilities to end-users in homes and |
| However recent technological advances have | | | | officers. |
| increased the success rate of locating and | | | | |
| exploring natural gas reservoirs and enhanced | | | | Gas Storage |
| the efficiency of gas transmission with | | | | |
| reduced costs. | | | | Natural gas transmission as well as |
| | | | exploration and production are all closely |
| Extraction, production and processing of | | | | linked to its storage. Gas processing as well |
| natural gas | | | | its transportation, exploration and |
| | | | production are all lengthy processes and |
| Teams of geophysicists and exploration | | | | sometimes when the gas is ready to be used; |
| geologists are committed to locating | | | | it is not required right away. This |
| potential underground oil and gas deposits. | | | | ready-to-use gas is kept in gas storage |
| Then comes the daunting task of digging deep | | | | facilities, which are large underground |
| into the crust of the earth to find natural | | | | reservoirs, till it is needed. Natural gas |
| gas deposits that may or may not really | | | | storage is vital in order to maintain a |
| exist. A team of drilling experts carries out | | | | reliable supply necessary to meet customer |
| onshore as well as offshore drilling using | | | | demands. |
| state-of-the art technology and innovative | | | | |
| equipment. | | | | The three main kinds of underground storage |
| | | | include: |
| After drilling the well, the commercial | | | | |
| viability of the well has to be established | | | | • Depleted gas reservoirs are most |
| taking into consideration the quantity of | | | | widely used because they already have |
| natural gas present and the costs of | | | | existing wells, pipeline connections and |
| extraction. Natural gas, as it is found | | | | gathering systems in place, which makes them |
| underground exists in association with a | | | | easier to convert into storage facilities. |
| variety of different gases and compounds as | | | | • Natural aquifers are more suitable |
| well as with water and oil. This gas needs to | | | | when there is a cap rock overlaying a |
| be processed so that what reaches end users | | | | water-bearing rock that has a sedimentary |
| is almost entirely methane. Gas natural | | | | rock formation. The active water drive |
| processing is carried out near the well | | | | present in natural aquifers produces an |
| itself to meet the high purity specifications | | | | increase in delivery rates. This kind of |
| that are required for natural gas | | | | underground gas storage facility requires |
| transmission through the natural gas | | | | extra monitoring of injection and withdrawal |
| pipelines. | | | | performances as compared to depleted gas |
| | | | reservoirs. • Salt caverns are more |
| Natural gas transmission | | | | expensive than the other two kinds of |
| | | | underground gas storage facilities. Their |
| Natural gas transmission is done through an | | | | injection rating and withdrawal rate is very |
| elaborate and highly complex network of | | | | high because of the active gas capacity. The |
| pipelines, also known as 'highways' of gas | | | | Gulf Coast states have the highest number of |
| and oil transmission. Natural gas travels | | | | salt cavern underground storage facilities. |
| great distances through the pipelines at high | | | | Thomas H. Lindblom is a freelance |
| pressure. | | | | journalism that is always lookig for |
| | | | iteresting topics to write about. "Gas |
| Gas transmission distribution is essentially | | | | Transmission - Behind the Scenes activity" |
| carried out by three major kinds of | | | | helps us learn about the process of gas |
| pipelines: | | | | transmission, from the moment it is |
| | | | extracted, it's way through gas pipelines, |
| • The gathering system, which comprise | | | | until the moment it is distributed all over |
| of low diameter, low pressure pipelines that | | | | the world. |
| are used in transporting raw natural gas from | | | | |