JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B.Tech III NATURAL GAS PROCESSING Previous Question Paper (November/December - 2020 - R16)

Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, with varying amounts of higher alkanes and small percentages of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or helium. It is a critical component of the global energy mix, valued for its versatility and lower carbon intensity compared to coal and oil.

Sources of Natural Gas:

• Associated Gas: This gas is found in contact with or dissolved in crude oil within petroleum reservoirs. It is produced as a byproduct of oil extraction.
• Non-Associated Gas: This gas originates from reservoirs that contain little or no crude oil. These are often referred to as dry gas fields.
• Unconventional Sources: These include Shale Gas, which is trapped within fine-grained sedimentary rocks; Coal Bed Methane (CBM), which is adsorbed onto the coal matrix; and Tight Gas, found in low-permeability sandstone or carbonate reservoirs.
• Gas Hydrates: These are crystalline solids of water and gas (mostly methane) found in deep-sea sediments and permafrost regions, representing a vast but currently non-commercial resource.

World Scenario:

The global natural gas landscape is characterized by significant geographical disparities between production and consumption centers:

• Reserves Distribution: The Middle East (notably Iran and Qatar) and Russia hold the largest proven natural gas reserves in the world. Significant reserves are also located in North America, Turkmenistan, and China.
• Production Trends: The United States is currently the world's largest producer, driven largely by the shale gas revolution. Russia remains a dominant global supplier, heavily influencing the European market.
• Consumption Patterns: Industrialized nations and rapidly developing economies like China and India are the primary consumers. The power generation sector is the largest user, followed by industrial heating and chemical feedstock applications.
• Trade Dynamics: Because natural gas is difficult to transport over long distances, the market is split between pipeline-connected regional markets and the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market. LNG has transformed the industry by allowing gas to be transported by sea, enabling countries without pipeline infrastructure to access global supplies and increasing the integration of international gas prices.