Which hydrocarbon constitutes the largest share of natural gas?

Which hydrocarbon constitutes the largest share of natural gas?

• A. Ethane
• B. Propane
• C. Methane
• D. Butane

Answer: (C)

Methane is the largest component of natural gas. As the simplest alkane, CH4, it stays gaseous under typical surface conditions and is produced in the greatest quantities in natural gas reservoirs, so it dominates the composition. In most natural gas streams, methane makes up the majority of the hydrocarbon content, often well above 70% and commonly reaching around 80–90%. The heavier hydrocarbons—ethane, propane, and butane—occur in much smaller amounts and are frequently separated out during processing to prevent condensation in pipelines and to provide feedstocks for other products. That’s why methane is the dominant hydrocarbon in natural gas.

Methane is the largest component of natural gas. As the simplest alkane, CH4, it stays gaseous under typical surface conditions and is produced in the greatest quantities in natural gas reservoirs, so it dominates the composition. In most natural gas streams, methane makes up the majority of the hydrocarbon content, often well above 70% and commonly reaching around 80–90%. The heavier hydrocarbons—ethane, propane, and butane—occur in much smaller amounts and are frequently separated out during processing to prevent condensation in pipelines and to provide feedstocks for other products. That’s why methane is the dominant hydrocarbon in natural gas.