Natural gas is a mixture of light hydrocarbons that are gaseous at atmospheric conditions. It is normally composed of 85% methane (CH₄), 10% ethane (C₂H₆), 3%, propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀) and some condensates. Natural gas is the product of the decay of organic matter and it can be found in underground reservoirs, either alone or together with crude oil and salt water.

 It is used in the industrial sector as process fuel, and in the residential and commercial sectors as fuel for heating and hot water.

 In recent years, due to technological advances that have dramatically improved the efficiency of gas turbines, the use of natural gas has become increasingly important in the energy sector. The overall efficiency of a combined cycle facility, that is, the combination of a gas turbine and a steam turbine, has reached 60%, making it a very economic alternative for thermal plants.

 Also, compared to other fossil fuels, the combustion of natural gas is much cleaner, with reduced emission of greenhouse effect gases. This property makes natural gas a very attractive choice as fuel for transportation.

Gas Spot Prices from Platts.