Natural Gas: A Greener Non-renewable Energy Source

Malaysia has natural gas reserves. In fact, it is one of their most precious resources. As a matter of detail, Malaysia not only has natural gas, but they stand tall as the world's fifth-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2023. The natural gas industry here plays a pivotal role in the economy, powering electricity generation, supporting businesses with commercial natural gas, and strengthening the nation's energy independence.

Natural gas production in Malaysia witnessed steady growth over time - thanks to the technologies allowing offshore drilling and extraction. It promises a host of benefits - abundant gas supply being prime among them. You’ll even find instances of natural gas seeps in certain regions, highlighting the richness of underground resources.

What Is Natural Gas?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel known for its clean-burning properties. It is a product of slow geological processes that transform organic matter deep within the Earth over millions of years. It is primarily composed of methane (CH4) along with some other gases.

Is natural gas renewable? 

Unfortunately, no. Since natural gas forms from the remains of plants and animals buried millions of years ago underneath heavy rock layers, we can't renew this resource once depleted.

Main Constituent and Composition

When you hear "natural gas," think methane. While it's a mix of several gases, methane makes up the vast majority of its composition.

Here's a typical breakdown:

• Methane (CH4): 70-90%
• Ethane: 1-20%
• Propane: 0.1-5%
• Trace amounts: Other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen, or helium.

Natural Gas Formation 

Natural gas comes from a few different places:

• Conventional Sources: Most natural gas comes from fossil fuels. It formed millions of years ago from decomposed plants and animals that were subjected to intense heat and pressure deep beneath the Earth's surface. These gas pockets are found all over the world, often alongside crude oil or coal deposits. In certain areas, producing natural gas directly from the earth’s crust has supported local economies for generations.
   
• Unconventional Sources:
  • Methane Hydrates: These solid, ice-like crystals trap large amounts of methane. You can find them in the cold, deep waters of the ocean and in Arctic permafrost.
  • Shale Gas: Significant amounts of natural gas are also trapped within rock formations, waiting to be tapped.

Natural gas reserves can be found worldwide, often located deep underground or beneath the ocean floor. Once tapped, the gas is brought to the surface using various methods, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and conventional drilling techniques.

Production and Processing

Companies drill wells into identified reservoirs under careful guidance using advanced technology to ensure controlled extraction. The extracted raw natural gas undergoes an essential purification process where useless impurities like water vapour or sulphur compounds get separated as they could potentially corrode pipes and cause damage.

In the natural gas processing plant, manufacturers primarily separate three distinct components: 

• Processed natural gas: This is the natural gas we use for heating our homes and generating liquefied petroleum gas for many domestic and commercial applications.
• Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs): This group includes valuable products like propane and butane, which have a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
• Carbon dioxide: Industries can capture and use this component for different purposes, including enhanced oil recovery.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are two key forms of natural gas that have transformed the way energy is stored and transported.

 

Liquefied (Liquified) Natural Gas (LNG)

When you need to move energy across oceans where pipelines can't go, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is the engineering marvel that makes it happen.

• Creation and Storage: By cooling natural gas to about -162°C, it turns into a clear, non-toxic liquid. This super-cooling process shrinks the gas to 1/600th of its original volume. Think of it like shrinking a beach ball's worth of gas down to the size of a ping-pong ball. That's how efficient it is to store.
• Primary Use: Because it's so compact, massive tanker ships can transport huge amounts of energy across the globe. When LNG arrives, it's warmed back into a gas and sent through local pipelines for homes and industries.
• Sustainable Impact: For global companies focused on sustainability, using LNG is a smart move. It helps them rely less on polluting fuels like coal and oil, particularly in places where natural gas infrastructure is still being built.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

While LNG is the champion for long-distance transport, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is the go-to for local distribution and transit.

• Creation and Storage: Instead of freezing it, CNG is made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its normal volume. It stays a gas and is stored in tough, cylindrical containers at high pressure.
• Primary Use: You've likely seen CNG in action as a cleaner fuel for transportation. City buses, natural gas trucks and commercial delivery fleets running on CNG are much quieter and often have lower maintenance costs because the fuel burns so cleanly.

Environmental and Sustainability Aspects

Unlike renewable resources like solar or wind energy, natural gas reserves are finite. As we extract and consume natural gas, these reserves are depleted, highlighting the importance of transitioning to truly renewable energy sources for long-term sustainability.

• Environmental Consequences: While natural gas burns cleaner than fuel oil, extracting it can seriously harm the environment. The process of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", can contaminate water supplies and disrupt local habitats.
• Bridge Fuel: Many view natural gas as a "bridge fuel"—a cleaner option than oil to use while we transition to renewable energy. However, its role is temporary. The long-term goal is to move away from all fossil fuels to achieve deep decarbonisation.

Advantages of Natural Gas

Among other non-renewable resources like coal, natural gas stands out more favourably due to its environmental benefits and superior output capability. A shift towards using more natural gas could be integral in our ongoing battle against climate change.

Here are some of its primary benefits:

• Cleaner Environmental Footprint: Burning natural gas produced for energy releases less carbon dioxide (CO₂) than other fossil fuels. This leads to better air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• High Energy Efficiency: Natural gas packs a lot of energy into a small package. This high energy-to-weight ratio makes it especially useful for energy-heavy manufacturing processes that need an efficient power source.
• Reliable Energy Source: Natural gas offers a consistent power supply, which is crucial for manufacturing operations that require uninterrupted energy. It can be adjusted quickly to stabilise the power grid when renewable sources are unavailable, reducing downtime and keeping operations smooth.
• Industrial Feedstock: Natural gas isn't just for generating power. It's also a key ingredient for producing fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, and even next-generation fuels like blue hydrogen.
• A Stepping Stone: Building out infrastructure for natural gas plants—like LNG terminals, CNG fleets and state-of-the-art gas-fired power plants—prepares us for the future. The same pipelines and engines can eventually be used for zero-carbon alternatives like biomethane and synthetic natural gas.

Uses of Natural Gas Energy in Malaysia

Natural gas energy has several key applications in Malaysia. Let's explore some of the main ones:

• Power Generation: Malaysia's power generation sector is the largest consumer of natural gas. It's an efficient way to generate electricity, accounting for about 37% of the energy used in the power sector. Natural gas fuels a variety of power plants across the country, delivering the energy that lights up our homes and powers industrial operations.
• Industrial Processes: Natural gas also plays a pivotal role in many industrial processes. For example, industries like steel and glass manufacturing prefer it over coal because it burns cleaner. This helps them reduce their environmental impact, which is a major focus in today's sustainability-conscious world.

Future of Natural Gas

The natural gas industry isn't standing still. It's actively evolving to shrink its environmental footprint, with new technologies transforming how we extract and use this resource to meet global sustainability goals.

1. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS is one of the most promising advancements in the energy sector. This technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from power generation and industrial processes, then transports the CO₂ to be stored safely and permanently deep underground. This process stops greenhouse gases from ever reaching the atmosphere.
2. Balancing Renewable Intermittency: The wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn't always shine. Natural gas power plants can ramp up and down quickly, making them an ideal partner for renewables. They fill the power gaps instantly when solar or wind generation drops, ensuring the electrical grid remains stable.
3. Advanced Turbine Efficiency: Thanks to ongoing engineering breakthroughs, modern natural gas turbines are more efficient than ever. They require less fuel to produce the same amount of electricity, which directly lowers the carbon footprint of power plants and manufacturing facilities.

Ajinomoto Malaysia Is Joining Hands for a Sustainable Future

Ajinomoto Malaysia Berhad (AMB) has shown an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability through its new eco-friendly factory in Bandar Enstek. This dedication is exemplified by their transition from fuel oil to natural gas as the primary heat source.

• Enhanced Efficiency and Recognition: These initiatives boost energy efficiency and have helped AMB's new factory earn the Silver Standard from the Green Building Index and an ISO 14001 certification. These awards highlight the company's strong environmental management.
• Ambitious Climate Goals: AMB has also pledged to cut its CO₂ emissions by 50% from 2018 levels by 2025, showing its proactive stance on climate change. Using alternative resources like natural gas in the new factory is key to hitting this target.
• Commitment to a Greener Future: AMB's switch to natural gas is a clear sign of its dedication to environmental sustainability. These efforts set a strong example for corporate responsibility and help build a greener future for everyone.