¿What is natural gas?

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It is a fuel that in its natural state is colorless (Invisible), flavorless, odorless (doesn’t smell), and it is not toxic. A chemical odorant is added to the natural gas so that in case of a leak it Can be detected.

Natural gas is lighter than air, in case of a leak it would elevate and dissipate in the environment, a feature that makes it safer.

The hydrocarbons that make up natural gas are specially methane (CH4), and to a lesser degree ethane (C2 H6), propane(C-3 H8) and butane (C-4 H 10). The other elements are carbonic anhydride, sulfhydric, nitrogen and small amounts of water, helium, argan and hydrogen.

Engine 1973 the most important discovery of free gas reservoirs Took place through Texas, that found in the department of La Guajira abundant free cash in the fields of Ballenas (668 G.P.C.), Chuchupa (2819 G.P.C.) y Riohacha (119 G.P.C.). The magnitude of this discovery brought to the country the development and the use of gas and natural resources at a large scale

Natural Gas Applications 

Residential Use

Natural gas is cheaper then other domestic use of fuels. It is important to highlight that the price of electric energy is approximately 6 times higher compared to natural gas.

The amount of the monthly bill is only paid after the service is used. Natural gas can be utilized at the household in many different ways, such as:

  • For cooking food
  • Heating up water
  • Drying clothes
  • Gas powered air conditioner

Nonresidential Use

  • Cooking for restaurants, bakeries, etc.
  • Motors for irrigation systems (Agri industry).
  • Laboratories, schools and universities.
  • Industrial systems for textile ironing.
  • Energy co-generation and generation systems.
  • Heating of fuels.
  • Sterilization of hospital equipment
  • Central air conditioner systems.

Distribution Network

From the regulation and metering stations, the gas is transported through a pipeline of polyethylene with mid density with proper sizes according to the needs of consumption of the fuel. This pipelines goes around all of the blocks in the neighborhoods covered with the urban gas pipeline. The connection for use is installed in the pipeline the starts at the ring up to the entrance of the household, where it is coupled with a pressure regulator and a meter and from there is connected to a piping (internal installation) that takes the gas to the consumption spots in the building.

The urban gas pipelines are very safe, given that all of the pipes are installed at an average depth of 80 cm and the gas flow is controlled through valves that allow to shut it down in case that there is a leak.

Additionally, on top of the pipe line a plastic tape is placed about 40 cm below the surface which avoids to let the users or other public utility services damage the pipeline.

¿How does a gas pipeline operate?

The natural gas is extracted from the ground from a reservoir located in la Guajira by producers such as Chevron–Texaco and Ecopetrol; it is transported by the companies Promigas and Transportadora de Gas del Interior (TGI) towards the cities through pipelines. This pipelines need to have the support so that movement in the pipe is avoided and also to protect it from scratches, abrasions, cuts or punctures.

Once the gas is transported, it is received at the entrance of every city through a gas station, Gases del Caribe has three main type of stations: The reception, district and industrial. The first two are installed to receive natural gas intended for a distribution network, while the industrial supply to customers with larger volumes.

Links of interest

- Information and personal data treatment policy

- Code of Conduct

If you need to report a gas leak, please immediately call 164 or 018000915334

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