Natural gas occurs in association with mineral oil. It is a fossil fuel. It is found along with the deposits of oil because it has been formed by decomposing remains of dead animals and plants buried under the earth.
Advantages of Natural Gas
- It is an environment-friendly fuel as it is made up of methane which results in less carbon emission.
- It is easier to preserve the fuel as it can be stored and transported through pipelines, cylinders, or tankers on land and sea.
- It is a cheaper fuel than diesel or gasoline.
- It is used for producing hydrogen, ammonia for fertilizers, paints, and plastics.
Disadvantages of Natural Gas
- Leaks in natural gas are extremely dangerous. Such leaks may result in explosions and fire. The leakage of natural gas can have serious consequences as methane is more dangerous than carbon dioxide.
- It is a fossil fuel and hence is a non-renewable source of energy.
- The infrastructure requiring the setting up of the production process and distribution of gas is very expensive.
- Natural gas when used as a fuel in vehicles provides less mileage than gasoline.
Distribution
More than three-fourths of India’s natural gas comes from Mumbai High, the rest is produced in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Tripura.
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