Pros
■ Pipelines and distribution networks are already in place.
■ Easily processed and transported as liquefied natural gas (LNG) over rail
or by ship.
■ Relatively inexpensive compared to other fossil fuels.
■ Viewed by many as a transitionary fossil fuel as the world switches to
renewable sources.
■ World reserves are estimated to be 125 years at the current rate of
consumption, but may increase due to hydrofracking.
■ High net-energy yield.
■ Less SO 2 and less NOx are produced compared to burning coal or oil,
resulting in less of an impact on acid rain and photochemical smog.
■ Less CO 2 , mercury, and particulates are released than when burning coal
or oil.
■ The extraction of natural gas is a much safer process than coal mining.Cons
■ Burning natural gas releases carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global
warming.
■ Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) are released during
processing.
■ Leakage of CH 4 has a greater impact on global warming than does CO 2.
■ Causes environmental disruptions to areas where it is collected.
■ Extraction releases contaminated wastewater and brine (water with a high
salt content).
■ Land subsidence.FRACKING
With hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking, or “fracking,” chemicals are mixed
with large quantities of water and sand and injected into wells at an extremely
high pressure to create fractures in rock that allow oil and natural gas to escape