Natural Gas Engineering

A: Hydraulic fracturing can impact the environment through potential groundwater contamination, induced seismicity, and large water usage. To mitigate these, companies implement rigorous well casing and cementing to protect aquifers, employ water recycling to reduce consumption, and use seismic monitoring to detect and manage induced seismic events. Regulatory oversight and technological innovations continue to improve the environmental footprint of hydraulic fracturing. The EPA provides detailed studies and guidelines: https://www.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing

A: The primary methods of natural gas extraction include conventional drilling, where gas is extracted from porous rock formations, and unconventional methods such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking), which is used to extract gas from shale formations. Offshore drilling is also common for accessing reserves beneath the ocean floor. Each method depends on geology and economic feasibility. For more details, you can refer to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) overview: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/extraction.php

A: Natural gas transportation involves pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, and compressed natural gas (CNG) trailers. Challenges include maintaining safety and integrity of pipelines to prevent leaks and ruptures, managing pressure and temperature to avoid hydrate formation, and ensuring efficient LNG liquefaction and regasification. Storage challenges involve underground storage in depleted reservoirs or salt caverns, which must maintain gas quality and handle demand fluctuations. Safety regulations and advancements in monitoring technologies help mitigate these risks.