Clean Burning Natural Gas
Natural gas is considered the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels in terms of the quantity of pollutants released per unit of energy. This relationship is due to the fact that the primary constituent of natural gas, methane, is a relatively simple molecule. Compared to natural gas, coal and oil have a higher carbon ratio and contain greater amounts of nitrogen and sulfur. While these obvious advantages should be considered when discussing the benefits of natural gas as a fuel source, it is important to appreciate the full range of emissions associated with the natural gas industry.
Emission Sources
Opportunities exist to reduce pollutant emissions during each stage of operation- from production to distribution. Primary emission sources include compressor engines, power generators, heavy drilling equipment, and flares. Fugitive emissions, which can be difficult to quantify, may originate from vents, flanges, valves, and gas lines. Volatilization of liquids may occur from storage tanks, separators, and waste pits. Dust from heavy equipment and road construction may increase the amount of particulate matter suspended in the air.
Improving Air Quality
Although improvements in drilling rig design and engine efficiency have substantially reduced emissions over the last decade, opportunities still exist to continue this trend. “Green Completion” systems, no-bleed pneumatic flanges and valves, portable infrared leak detection cameras, and vapor recovery systems are just a few of the technologies that industry and government sponsored groups are developing to reduce the impact of natural gas drilling operations.