Is natural gas a green energy?

Natural gas is said to play an important role in achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40%). In this sense, gas is presented as a transition energy towards a future based on renewable energies. However, just like oil, natural gas is formed as a result of the slow decomposition of microorganisms buried in layers of sediment. It is composed of hydrocarbons – mainly methane (CH4) – naturally trapped in porous rocks. This definition naturally makes it a fossil fuel. Why is it considered more environmentally friendly than oil, and what benefits can African countries blessed with this natural reserve derive from this favorable situation?

More environmentally friendly combustion

Natural gas is not a renewable energy. It is obtained by drilling, and supplies are limited. However, the environmental nature of natural gas comes from the fact that its use generates relatively little carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. During combustion, it mainly releases water vapor and CO2. However, it emits 25% less greenhouse gases than fuel and 50% less than coal. Indeed, according to IPCC, its combustion would be the source of 0.418 kilograms equivalent of CO2 per kilowatt hour of energy supplied, while petrol, diesel, heating oil and kerosene have values of around 0.73 and coal 1.06. Apart from CO2, natural gas produces fewer air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, when burned. In addition, it emits almost no fine particles.

Gas, a transitional energy

Gas plays a key role in the Energy Transition as it is used as a backup solution for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Indeed, with current technologies, many sectors still rely mainly on fossil fuels. These include, for example, aviation, shipping, the iron casting industry, etc. Considered a climate-neutral energy at relatively affordable prices, natural gas is often used to supplement greener installations, such as solar panels or heat pumps. It thus considerably reduces the carbon footprint of homes equipped with such devices. Condensing boilers, with high energy performance, can run on gas and are often used for this purpose. In addition, there is also compressed natural gas (CNG). Its compression mode allows it to take up 300 times less space than ordinary fuels. With low pollutant emissions and high ease of storage, it can be used as a fuel and is an attractive alternative to petrol and diesel.

Renewable natural gas (RNG)

RNGs, also known as “green gas”, are made from the fermentation of various materials called “biomass”: plants, residual sludge from wastewater treatment, residues from the food industry and agriculture, or household waste. The use of this waste, a potentially inexhaustible resource, makes RNG a renewable energy. However, RNG differs somewhat from natural gas, as it pollutes even less. When it comes to natural gas, research indicates that emissions of methane, the main natural gas, that occur during its extraction and transportation mean that natural gas is not as climate friendly as previously thought. Hence, here, the importance of mastering the technology, to reduce gas flaring and fugitive methane emissions in the oil industry, a cause to which APPO is already committed. In doing so, limiting methane emissions and gas flaring and recovering them can be a real boon for African countries whose subsoil is rich in hydrocarbons.