Natural gas is the world s cleanest fossil fuel; it generates less air pollution and releases less CO2 per unit of useful energy than liquid fuels or coals. Natural gas is the world s cleanest fossil fuel; it generates less air pollution and releases less CO2 per unit of useful energy than liquid fuels or coals. PrefaceAcknowledgements1 Valuable resource with an odd nameMethane s advantages and drawbacks2 Origins and distribution of fossil gasesBiogenic hydrocarbonsWhere to find natural gasResources and progression of reserves3 Extraction, processing, transportation, salesExploration, extraction and processingPipelines and storagesChanging production4 Natural gas as fuel and feedstockIndustrial uses, heating, cooling and cookingElectricity generationNatural gas as a raw material5 Exports and emergence of global tradeNorth American gas systemEurasian networksEvolution of LNG shipments6 Diversification of sourcesShale gasCoal bed methaneMethane hydrates7 Natural gas in energy transitionsFuel substitutions and decarbonization of energy supplyMethane in transportationNatural gas and the environment8 The best fuel for the 21st century?How far will gas go?Shale gas prospectsGlobal LNGUncertain futuresReferencesIndex