Geophysical Methods of Exploration........................................................................................................13
Geochemical Methods of Exploration......................................................................................................15
Drilling......................................................................................................................................................15
Percussion Drilling...................................................................................................................................15
Rotary Drilling...........................................................................................................................................16
Drilling Techniques...................................................................................................................................17
Offshore Drilling.......................................................................................................................................17
Drilling Rigs..............................................................................................................................................18
Production.....................................................................................................................................................19
Completing a Well....................................................................................................................................19
Installing Well Casing..........................................................................................................................19
Well Completion...................................................................................................................................20
Lifting and Well Treatment...................................................................................................................20
Processing....................................................................................................................................................21
Transmission................................................................................................................................................22
Overview of a Pipeline Project.................................................................................................................23
Transmission Line Maintenance..............................................................................................................25
Compressor Stations................................................................................................................................25
Natural Gas Storage................................................................................................................................26
Distribution....................................................................................................................................................26
City Gate Stations....................................................................................................................................27
1-ii GAS DISTRIBUTION SELF-STUDY COURSE
Piping Network.........................................................................................................................................28
Supply Mains.......................................................................................................................................28
Feeder Mains.......................................................................................................................................29
Distribution Mains................................................................................................................................29
Services Lines.....................................................................................................................................29
Fuel Lines............................................................................................................................................29
Gas Industry Trade and Research Organizations........................................................................................29
U.S. Trade Associations...........................................................................................................................29
American Gas Association.......................................................................................................................30
American Public Gas Association............................................................................................................30
Canadian Gas Association.......................................................................................................................30
Canadian Gas Research Institute............................................................................................................30
Gas Technology Institute.........................................................................................................................30
Regulatory Control........................................................................................................................................31
Background..............................................................................................................................................31
Deregulation.............................................................................................................................................32
Additional Reading........................................................................................................................................33
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1-1. Natural Gas Technically Recoverable Resources...............................................................8
Table 2-1. U.S. Natural Gas Resources (Trillion Cubic Feet)...............................................................9
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1-1: Ancient Greece.......................................................................................................................1
Figure 1-2: Open Flame Interior Gaslights (1830)....................................................................................2
Figure 1-3: First Gas Well In America.......................................................................................................2
Figure 1-4: Vintage Bunsen Burner..........................................................................................................3
Figure 1-5: Goodwin Gas Cooking Stove–1879.......................................................................................4
Figure 1-6: Gas and Wood Cooking Stove Combination Kitchen Range – 1910-1920............................4
Figure 1-7: Circulating Water Heater........................................................................................................4
Figure 1-8: Natural Gas Prices and Drilling Rig Operation.......................................................................7
Figure 1-9: U.S. Dry Natural Gas Reserves 1990-2000...........................................................................9
Figure 1-10: World Natural Gas Reserves - Jan 1, 2000........................................................................10
Figure 1-11: Surface Geology.................................................................................................................12
Figure 1-12: Trap Types.........................................................................................................................13
Figure 1-13: Seismograph......................................................................................................................13
Figure 1-14: Offshore Seismic Exploration.............................................................................................14
Figure 1-15: Geologist Using Interactive 3-D Seismic Imaging......................