Natural Gas and the Future of Energy
Until recently natural gas was considered the dirty brother of oil. Natural gas was
often stranded and left undeveloped, often wasting it. Oftentimes natural gas was
considered ‘unusable’ and ‘worthless’ compared to oil. But now that the oil is running
out a new light is being shown on natural gas. Today natural gas is very much in favor as
a clean fossil fuel, especially for electricity generation in industrialized countries. “Global
proven gas reserves are 5501 TcM with around 60 years of production at current
utilization rates compared to 40 years for oil,” writes Pradeep Kurup. According to the
latest numbers people could be using more gas than oil by 2030. According to Kurup,
“that means an even greater incremental growth in both gas supply and transportation
than the industry has seen up to date, with nearly 25% of all natural gas produced now
crossing an international border.”
Natural gas is created from the anaerobic decay of organic material. You can find
it in oil fields and natural gas fields and in most swampy or marshy areas. Natural gas is
also generated by animals during digestion. Natural gas is primarily composed of
methane which happens to be the lightest of the hydrocarbon molecules. The other
components of natural gas consist of heavier hydrocarbon molecules such as ethane,
butane, and propane. Hydrogen sulfide and mercury are common contaminants, which
must be removed prior to most uses. Natural gas is emerging as the most important
energy source for the future because it has an abundance of uses and is found almost
anywhere. The abundant supply of natural gas makes it a fine candidate to replace oil as
the dominating source of energy. A lot of people who freaked out when word about peak
oil surfaced now can find comfort in natural gas. Most people probably don’t realize that
natural gas can not only be used as a replacement for gasoline but it can also be used to
generate electricity through the use of both gas and steam turbines. A special “combined
cycle mode” has been developed by combining both the gas and the steam turbines. On
top of all of the facts I have already posted, natural gas also burns cleaner and thus more
efficiently than other fossil fuels creating...
... middle of paper ...
...t maybe this is just al about money like
everything else. Maybe the government is hoarding oil and is just saying there is an oil
crisis. Lots of questions, but not very many answers.
Works Cited
1. Energy for the future - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell industry sets out its blueprint. European Commission. 3-17-05
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/environment
2. Swank, J. Grant Jr. Rice: India Upgraded with US RE Future Powers. Mitch News.com. 3-28-05
http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_7474.shtml
3. Kurup, Pradeep. Why Natural Gas’s the Future of Energy. Times Internet Network. 3-28-05
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1062958.cms
4. The DaimlerChrysler Website: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-7179-1-460443-1-0-0-0-0-0-8-7165-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html
5. Okoye, Sam Ejike. Cold Fusion, the Unlimited Energy Source: A Myth or Reality? Nigeria World. 3-27-05
http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2005/mar/271.html
Natural gas is very dangerous, especially when the health of people is the main problem. The side effects of natural gas, according to Tox Town the article points out “oxygen can be reduced, causing dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headache, and irregular breathing” and even “death”. Pennsylvania is suffering in a tremendous way people are not consuming water like they used to. In fact, the video from Fracking Hell: The Untold Story” have people explaining how their rivers and have yellow colors, and how strong the water smell. They cannot wash dishes,
U.S. Government. "2012 World Oil Consumption." Countries. U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. .
Almost every single nation in our world today, the United States included, is extremely reliant on oil and how much of it we can obtain. Wars have been started between countries vying for control of this valuable natural resource. The United States as a whole has been trying to reduce its reliance on foreign oil and has had some success, especially with the discovery of the Bakken formation and projects like the Keystone Pipeline.
In 1908, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) predicted that the total future supply of U.S. oil would not exceed 23 billion barrels. In 1914, the U.S. Bureau of Mines predicted that only 5.7 billion barrels of oil remained. In 1920, the USGS proclaimed the peak in U.S. oil production was almost reached. In 1939, the Department of Interior declared that there was only 13 years of oil production remaining. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter claimed, “We are now running out of oil.” Despite these predictions, the U.S. has produced over 200 billion barrels of oil since the early 1900’s. (The Futurist, 1997)
Lof, George. “Solar Energy: An Infinite Source of Clean Energy.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Vol 410:52
use across all sectors. Natural gas is the second most used energy source in industry, trailing
The United States relies on imports for about forty percent of its crude oil, which is the lowest rate of dependency since 1991 according to the U.S Energy Information Administration. Today our country is trying to keep on track in becoming less and less dependent. When it comes to the topic of the future ways the United States will get its fuel, most of us readily agree that the United States should become more independent by using natural gas that is already here on our land. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of the consequences drilling for natural gas brings. Whereas some are convinced drilling is safe, others maintain that it is actually in fact dangerous. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking", the terms for drilling for natural gas, is dangerous to our public health and to the environment because of the water contamination it causes. Therefore, it is not something that should become a project for alternative fuel used by the United States.
Natural gas extraction and consumption has risen over the past thirty years. Also known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking, a tremendous amount of uproar is being made in the environmental and political communities. Natural gas use is a great source of energy worldwide, only in America have we had a gold rush affect when it comes to extraction. Natural gas provides less dependence on foreign oil, less need for coal plants, and a more affordable energy source worldwide. There are many advantages to using natural gas but the way in which it is being extracted has caused many people to become sick. The detrimental environmental impacts caused by hydraulic fracturing continue to rise. Not to mention the political pull on big corporations and water quality standards. Currently in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania and the Barnett shale in Texas, the air and water quality have diminished over the past years since drilling sites ran rampant. Natural gas is natural in terms of how it came to be, but not natural in how they extract it and the problems it is causing everyone involved. To make aware the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, environmental impacts, water quality and air emissions, must be considered.
Carbon, Max W. Nuclear Power: Villain or Victim?: Our Most Misunderstood Source of Electricity. Second ed. Madison, WI: Pebble Beach, 1997.
The United States currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. While the price of natural gas per barrel continues to plummet, the United States is constantly seeking new sources of renewable energy. Renewable energy consists of any type of natural resource (solar power, ocean power, wind power, rain, snow, etc.). that naturally and automatically replenishes itself. Renewable energy is important because it is infinite and everlasting, meaning our children and our children’s children will be able to utilize these resources long after we are gone.
the world’s problem is what if we lose that Natural Gas. Where are we going to get it, will we
This expansion has helped provide new employment opportunities, increased economic development, and gained the United States more independence from foreign energy sources. Natural gas extraction can also be considered a cleaner energy solution. Compared to burning coal, burning natural gas releases 58% less carbon dioxide (Finkel & Law, 2011). Despite these advantages, too little research has been completed to know the full impact that hydraulic fracturing can have. This inadequacy has led to poor risk communication with communities that have well fields, and has allowed drilling companies to be irresponsible with their practices because there is limited regulations in place. This fast pace has not allowed time for environmental and public health advocates to accurately evaluating the potential risks to their respective
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.
For years man has relied on energy in order to be successful in life. The industrial revolution relied on coal for the new inventions brought into the world. Life as has never been the same since then. However since that time, there has been little done to improve on energy efficiency and humans still primarily rely on fossil fuels for energy. For over a hundred years the Earth has become more polluted and dirtier than ever before. Now, with new, innovative technology there is an opportunity to change that and to rely on renewable, cleaner sources of energy. The main source of energy for the world should be alternative energy instead of energy from fossil fuels.
...ion of fusion power plant when the technology has achieved a certain level. This level will be reach with free market and patents right, which will create incentive for scientist to make innovation. Hopefully, countries, in the future, will find co-operating relationship’ among each other and solve environmental problems.