Natural gas Natural gas Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium. It is formed when layers of decomposing plant and animal matter are exposed to intense heat and pressure under the surface of the Earth over millions of years. The energy that the plants originally obtained from the sun is stored in the form of chemical bonds in the gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel used as a source of energy for heating,
Natural gas in Canada Natural gas in Canada At per day in 2011, Canada was the fourth-largest producer of natural gas in the world. Its proven reserves were at the close of 2006. A large portion of Canada's gas is exported to the United States; in 2006, per day. In 2016 natural gas was used to provide 35% of all energy in Canada, double the amount supplied by electricity. Electricity generated by natural gas was 8.5% of the nations total. Natural gas is used to supply 50% of space heating, and 65% of water heating in homes, similarly 80% of businesses use natural gas