Natural gas is one of the most commonly used energy sources in homes today, fueling everything from stoves to water heaters. But how does it get from deep underground to your kitchen? Let’s take a look at the journey natural gas takes from extraction to your stove.

Step 1: Extraction

Natural gas is found deep within the Earth, often trapped in rock formations or mixed with crude oil. To extract it, energy companies drill wells, sometimes reaching depths of over 20,000 feet. When natural gas is trapped in shale rock, a process called hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) is used to release the gas. This involves injecting a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into the rock, allowing the gas to escape.

Step 2: Processing

Once extracted, natural gas isn’t quite ready for use. It contains impurities like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur compounds that need to be removed. At processing plants, these impurities are filtered out, leaving primarily methane, which is the main component of natural gas. Other valuable by-products, such as propane and butane, are separated during this process and can be used for other purposes, like heating or in industrial processes.

Step 3: Transportation

After processing, the clean natural gas is transported through a vast network of pipelines. These pipelines, which stretch thousands of miles across the country, deliver natural gas to cities, towns, and power plants. Compressor stations keep the gas pressurized, ensuring it flows smoothly over long distances. In areas without pipeline access, natural gas can be cooled into liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing its volume for easy transport by ship or truck.

Step 4: Distribution

Once the gas reaches your local area, it enters the local distribution network. Smaller pipelines branch out to homes and businesses, delivering natural gas directly to your appliances. Before it enters your home, a chemical odorant is added to the gas to make it detectable in case of leaks, as natural gas is naturally odorless.

Step 5: At Your Stove

When you turn on your gas stove, a valve opens, allowing gas to flow through the burner where it mixes with air and ignites. The blue flame you see is natural gas burning efficiently and cleanly, providing consistent heat for cooking.

The journey natural gas takes from deep within the Earth to your stove is a complex, carefully controlled process. From extraction and purification to transportation and distribution, each step ensures the gas you use is safe and reliable. The next time you turn on your stove, you’ll know just how much work went into making that moment possible.