...Natural Gas Natural gas is a flammable gas that consists of methane and other hydrocarbons. This gas is found underground and is also used as fuel. Natural gas is produced when trapped gas is released above ground. That release creates unusual spouts of heat and fire. Scientists realized that under the ground lay an energy producing gas waiting to be extracted. Today when a company is looking for natural gas, they seek out a particular type of rock formation above ground. Tests are run that can measure sound waves and gravitational pulls in a particular area. If the tests appear promising, the drilling begins. Drilling only returns natural gas half of the time. In order to tap into the underground reserve, the drilling team must dig about 6000 feet into the ground. Once the gas is extracted from the ground it is sent to power plants and processing plants. It is then cleaned, separated and converted into fuel that is usable for homes and businesses. There are times that the gas is compressed, then transported to various rural areas where pipeline aren’t available. It is then placed in small metal tanks. The USA produces about a quarter of the earth’s natural gas. The five best sources for fossil fuel are Louisiana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Natural gas can be found in several other places within the Northern Hemisphere. Qatar is the world’s largest natural gas field. The Persian Gulf is the second largest. Natural gas impacts the quality of water greatly. One...
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...Natural Gas Over Oil The use of natural gas over oil is one of the most controversial issues as far as the use of different sources of energy and their impact on earth are concerned. Environmentalist, for a long time, have suggests that the greatest contributor to the high rates of pollution are the different energy sources with the leading pollutants resulting from the increased use of fossil fuels such as oil. Apart from environmental concerns, different sources of energy have different impact on the economy, the health of the users and they also have different efficiencies (Maugeri, 2010). For a long time, environmentalists have advocated for the adoption of natural gas as a replacement of oil. However, there are several constraints to this...
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...“ Investigate the extent of competition in the natural gas industry in the European Union. Assess the impact of EU and national regulations on the prices of natural gas across the EU”. Abstract: European natural gas market currently has a decline of indigenous resources that is, at the same time, combined with the growing dependence of gas supplies coming from a few foreign exporters. As a result of this, new EU regulations and polices are proposed. This paper will analyze the past gas reforms and will try to assess the impact of those regulations on prices for natural gas and also investigate the competition of the EU natural gas market. The empirical analysis will focus on reform indicators such as vertical integration and market structure of the natural gas market, in order to show how these indicators are related to prices. By Kirill Osaulenko Content 1.0 Introduction ……………………………………………………..3 2.0 Literature Review ……………………………………………….3 2.1 The Structure Of the Gas Market in Europe ………………...3 2.2 How competitive is the natural gas market in Europe ……....4 2.3 Liberalization process across Europe………………………..5 2.4 Existing Empirical Evidence in the Academic Literature …..7 2.5 Summary of the review……………………………………...9 3.0 Competition in the EU gas Market …………………………….10 3.1 Wholesale Market ………………………………………….11 3.2 Production Market …………………………………………12 ...
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...Natural Gas Consumption Patterns Natural gas, one of the cleanest, safest, and most useful of all energy sources, is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs with petroleum deposits that is used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic compounds. Between 1997 and 2011, total natural gas consumption in the United States rose 7%. This is modest growth in and of itself but it masks bigger changes in individual sectors. Electric power was the second lowest user of natural gas in 1997 but is now the largest user. This sector also shows the greatest sensitivity to price change than any other sector. As of 2009, natural gas consumption for power surpassed the consumption in the industrial sector. With coal prices rising and natural gas prices declining, dispatching natural gas generators in some parts of the country has become increasingly competitive with operating coal generators. The competition between natural gas and coal fired generators first appeared in the Southeast where it was more expensive to use coal-fired generators due to the higher cost of transporting the coal over long distances. The industrial sector uses natural gas for processing heat, steam generation, onsite electricity generation, space heating and petrochemical processing. In 1997, the industrial sector was the largest user of natural gas. This sector’s use has steadily declined from 1997 until 2010 where there was an upturn in...
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...AN ALTERNATIVE TO FOREIGN OIL An Issue Paper Presented to Professor Sheila Christensen Professor of Marketing Utah Valley University For Management 2200 By Greg Gossard July 30, 2012 Executive Summary Over the past few decades, in the United States, oil is the primary fuel consumed by most vehicles on our roads and in our air space today. It is estimated that two-thirds of the oil used is due to the transportation sector. This report will examine the pros and cons of the need for alternate solutions to the ever increasing reliance the United States has on foreign oil. There are practical alternatives and solutions that the United States could implement in the short run, and especially in the long run as well. The idea of domestic drilling, along with natural gas, and plug-in hybrids are definitely worthwhile options to look at for an alternate solution to the dilemma of oil consumption. While some may argue that these other sources are not consistent enough or wouldn’t be efficient resources for alternative energy, there is enough evidence supporting claims to the contrary In financing research projects exploring alternative energy, the U.S. would easily be able to use all of those resources of energy to remove our dependence on foreign oil consumption. On average, the U.S. spends about one billion dollars per day on foreign oil. That adds up to be thirty billion on average per month, and over three hundred and sixty billion annually. This is a gross and unnecessary...
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...COM +1-506-455-5166 Objective: • Oil and Gas Processing /Chemical Process Engineering Job in Oil and Gas Fields. • To evolve around creating processes and designs, as well as maintenance and operations duties in a variety of different disciplines. • Performing Engineering Studies, improving all the existing projects and supervising the new installation and performing of the commissioning, Issuing work orders and safety procedures to maintain and repair any pipeline, vessel, storage tanks, separators, dehydrators, manifolds, and all other oil/gas relative equipments based on the approved Codes. Design, any required fabrications and modifications. Updating all the related drawings, drafting and as built, (P&ID drawings, Piping drawings, and Mechanical drawings). Preparing all the required reports (daily, weekly, and annually reports). Summary of Qualifications Earned value management, supported by a solid grasp of the fundamental components of Project Controls including scope definition, cost estimating, change management, cost management, scheduling, project reporting, earned value analysis and risk management • Over ten years’ experience teaching and performing research at the university level • Over 15 years’ experience in capital projects management, overseeing a variety of oil and gas fields, from extraction to processing and shipping. • Used Natural gas treating solutions, including amine plants, Triethylene...
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...Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Gas to Liquids (GTL), and LNG as an option for offshore gas transport [Author Name] [Institute Name] Abstract The main idea behind this paper is to understand the environmental impact by comparing compressed natural gas, gas-to-liquid, and liquefied natural gas as an option for offshore has transport. As, this study will give information about the environmental impacts related to natural gas and its major forms, which are assumed as an option for gas transport. The paper has explained the ways through which each gas is abusing environment in terms of mistreatment since massive excretion of gases have impacted on health ofenvironment as at times because of toxic gases marine life got disturbed, at times the specific region also experience acid rain and many other harmful effects that also destroys human’s health. Contents Abstract 2 List of figures 3 List of symbols 4 1. Introduction 5 2. Literature review 8 2.1. CNG 8 2.2. GTL 10 2.2.1. The GTL technology benefits environment 10 2.3. LNG 11 3. Discussion (comparison) 13 4. Conclusion 19 References 20 List of figures Figure 1: Forecast of world energy consumption Figure 2: Air pollutant emission by fuel type Figure 3: Environmental impacts of natural gas production, transportation and distribution Figure 4: Energy losses List of symbols CNG Compressed Natural Gas GTL...
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...Phd. Professor and Assistant Dean at Clarkson University Prepared by Martin Sable Student, Masters in Engineering Management at Clarkson University August 10, 2014 Executive Summary This paper will review the process of hydraulic fracturing, its effects on the environment, and the opposition against the practice. A chronological discussion of lobbying activities and regulatory actions will be discussed, with a particular focus on land use control. A discussion of some of the past and potential future litigation on land rights related to the subject will be covered. The paper will end with the author’s opinion on the subject and of the potential future of the industry. Background Hydraulic Fracturing is a method of simulating well production in both natural gas and oil wells. It was first introduced in 1947, and was adopted for commercial applications as early as 1949.15 The process involves drilling wells deep into ground rock formations, then injecting fluids at high pressure into the ground. The high pressure causes fracturing of the rocks that release gas or oil into the wells that may then be extracted. In 1968 high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) was introduced, in an effort to tap into the large shale basins containing deposits of natural gas. The main difference between this and conventional hydraulic fracturing is tremendous volume of fracturing fluids that are pumped underground. Conventional fracturing typically uses around 100 thousand gallons...
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...Abbreviations GHG – Greenhouse Gas CO2 - Carbon dioxide CH4 - Methane N2O – Nitrogen oxide LNG- Liquefied Natural Gas Abbreviations GHG – Greenhouse Gas CO2 - Carbon dioxide CH4 - Methane N2O – Nitrogen oxide LNG- Liquefied Natural Gas Highlights * We model two major oil and gas companies. * We examine causes of Climate Change * Increase in further research may produce other alternative to exist source of energy * Combined efforts will help to meet carbon reduction target ABSTRACT Playing a major role in the world, the oil and gas industry is faced with the challenge of climate change. This paper establishes the fact that climate change troubles our planet today. In establishing this fact the paper examines the causes of climate change, the relationship between climate change and the oil and gas industry through CO2. It further evaluates the various methods available to reduce CO2 emissions and the challenges the companies have in implementing the methods. This paper uses two major oil companies as case studies, to establish the above stated facts and concludes that oil and gas companies need to be involved in more research and development of alternative supply of energy, in order reduce CO2 emissions, in collaboration with other sectors of the economy in achieving the targets made regarding climate change, environmental laws and policies. Keywords: CO2, Climate Change, Industry, Oil and Gas. 1. INTRODUCTION Climate change is a global...
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...Research Paper Shannon Tyler RES/351 Date Larry Oslund Research Paper As the American energy crisis grows, we continue to look for domestic solutions. The United States contains large reserves of unconventional natural gas resources in coal beds, shale, and tight sands. Recent technological advances have led to a rapid increase in the development of these resources. The new advances have led to an average annual growth rate of 48% in shale gas alone and is expected to grow until 2035. This new technology has also increased the number of wells from 18,485 to 25,145 between the periods of 2004 to 2007 alone. One of the plausible advances’ is natural gas obtained through hydraulic fracking. A process commonly known as fracking. With the increase in production that fracking brings, it also brings some health hazards and presents danger to the environment. Though this process brings some hazards both health wise and environmentally, it has its benefits. The benefits it brings is a process that extracts clean fossil fuels that gives off less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide. So even this process harms the environment it inadvertently helps the environment along with its ability to create jobs, influence energy cost and fix a growing energy crisis. Like any new process, both the benefits and the drawbacks need to be addressed. The problem...
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...writing this paper I was neutral on the subject of natural gas fracking, I had never heard of it and had no idea how destructive this process of extraction was. The further I got on this report, the more furious I became that this was happening on US soil, and not only that but people in the highest levels of government were not only sanctioning it, but using their power in public office to advance the agenda of companies that they were either running before they cae into office, or companies that friends were running, or were just giving them kickbacks, which would be the only reason that anyone would let this go on. After doing just a small amount of research you realize rather quickly how detrimental this process is, not only to the environment, but to the helpless animals who had had wells built in their migration patterns. Not to mention the helpless children whos parents had no idea what the were getting themselves and their families into when they signed what appeared to be a harmless contract allowing a drilling company to put up a small rig on their property. Who didn’t realize that in a short amount of time they would be able to light the water coming out of their faucet on fire, that their animals would loose their hair, have problems eating and die. The fact that any human being would allow this to be done to other human beings all in the name of money is beyond me, but I’ll get into that later. What is hydraulic fracturing anyway? The U.S. contains gas fields that...
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...The demand of increasing energy resources has tormented the United States in the past few decades. The availability of these resources has become questionable for the future not knowing what can be done for the sustainability of the United States. The United States would like to develop a method to obtain renewable and environment-friendly energy sources for the future. In this paper, I will be elaborating on the process of increasing oil and gas production with the method of “fracking”. What is fracking? This is a question I asked myself when doing this research paper. The solution of hydraulic fracturing also knowing as “fracking” is a quite interesting method that was discovered many years ago but has it’s pro and cons. Fracking is defined...
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...twenty eight member states as of March 2013), it needed more energy sources as energy plays an important role for economic development. Now the European Union is the largest importer of energy (oil and gas) in the world, and the second largest energy consumer. Therefore, member states of the EU need more secure access to energy resources. Beside the North-South and East-West energy corridors, Europe ingests the South-North corridor, connecting it with North Africa and the Middle East. In 2007 Oil and Gas Journal estimated stocks and supplies of oil at 114 billion barrel and natural gas at 13, 9 billion cubic meter. Almost one third of European imported oil comes either from the Middle East or from North-West Africa. Europe pipeline interests in the south are focused exclusively on natural gas. In 2006 Algeria delivered 16, 7% of Europe gas, and it’s considered to be the biggest third land delivers natural gas, including LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), to Europe. Almost half of the supplies to Europe go to Spain and the rest to Italy and France. The other two important countries in the region producing Gas are Libya and Egypt, they hold together with Algeria a proven reserves of 4, 5% of the world reserves. These three lands can present a reliable long-term alternative to the Russian gas. Starting from 2020 Algeria for example can...
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...methane gas and toxic chemicals and contaminate groundwater. “Hydraulic fracturing is used after the drilled hole is completed. Put simply, hydraulic fracturing is the use of fluid and material to create or restore small fractures in a formation in order to stimulate production from new and existing oil and gas wells. This creates paths that increase the rate at which fluids can be produced from the reservoir formations, in some cases by many hundreds of percent.” (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2010) This process allows production in older oil and natural gas fields. Hydraulic fracturing has been used in the United States since the 1940’s. “The U.S. has vast reserves of natural gas that are commercially viable as a result of advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies enabling greater access to gas in shale formations. Responsible development of America's shale gas resources offers important economic, energy security, and environmental benefits.” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013) Fractures in Onshore shale and Tight Rock formations are oil fracking. It can be natural or man-made through rock. The fluid includes water, sand, ceramic and often chemicals. “High-pressure Fracking is done from a wellbore drilled into reservoir rock formations to increase the rate and ultimate recovery of Shale Oil and Light Tight Oil. Most times a Shale Oil formation only needs to be Fracked once, where as a Natural Gas formation...
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...Implications for the environment a) Implications in determining the consequences and development within the technological society and the effects a technology has on an organisms, its habitat, what capacity the natural ecosystems have to support life, and biodiversity The development of technology within society has many benefits; however it has shown adverse effects on our natural environment. The need to reach for new advances if we are not managed appropriately can collapse natural ecosystems. Regretfully our ideologies have caused the vast social problems that we are forced to deal with today. Technology advancements have positive implications, but it has also had devastating effects on the environment. We have been practicing a growth at any and all cost ideology in regards to technology and the damage it is causing to the environment. This has created an every growing social issue. This attitude has led to the loss of biodiversity that will inevitably bring the collapse of ecosystems. We take more resources from the earth and space as our population increases.As a result we are disrupting the habitats of animal species that live in undeveloped areas. As we expand our range to make room for new communities we inadvertently displace the natural order of insects, animals and plants that occupy the land. Our attitude towards growth and technology serves human needs and comfort at the expense of animals, organism and the ecosystems that sustain them. Our reliance...
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