Natural Gas

Once natural gas is brought to the surface, gathering systems transport it from individual wells to processing plants. Processed natural gas consists almost entirely of methane. Natural gas in its unprocessed state however consists of methane; natural gas liquids (NGLs) such as ethane, propane, and butane; pentanes, water, hydrogen sulphide, and other gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Most of these components are removed from the natural gas either at processing facilities at the gas field or at straddle plants located on pipeline systems. The hydrogen sulphide is extracted in the form of elemental sulphur and is used in the manufacture of fertilizers and other products. The NGLs are sold separately for use as diluents in heavy oil processing, as feedstock for petrochemical plants, or as fuel.