BioGas: energy produced from the anaerobic digestion of sewage and industrial waste

Compression: Natural gas is compressed during transportation and storage. The standard pressure that gas volumes are measured at is 14.7 Pounds per Square inch (psi). When being transported through pipelines, and when being stored, gas is compressed to save space.

CNG - Compressed Natural Gas: Natural gas in its gaseous state that has been compressed.

Cf - Cubic Foot: A unit of measurement for volume. It represents an area one foot long, by one foot wide, by one foot deep. Natural gas is measured in cubic feet.

Fossil Fuel: Coal, natural gas, LPG and fuels derived from crude oil (including petrol and diesel). They have been formed over long periods of time from ancient organic matter.

Gauge Pressure: The pressure generally shown by measuring devices. This is the pressure in excess of that exerted by the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gasses: Gases that increase the temperature of the earth’s surface. They include water vapour, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Hydrocarbon: An organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons often occur in petroleum products, natural gas, and coals.

IEA: International Energy Agency

Liquefaction: The process by which natural gas is converted into liquid natural gas.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Natural gas that has been cooled to -259 degrees Fahrenheit (-161 degrees Celsius) and at which point it is condensed into a liquid which is colourless, odourless, non-corrosive and non-toxic.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Gas consisting primarily of propane, propylene, butane, and butylene in various mixtures. Stored as a liquid by increasing pressure.

Methane: Methane is commonly known as natural gas. It is colourless and burns efficiently without many by-products. Natural gas has odour added as a safety measure since it is naturally odourless.

Natural Gas: A hydrocarbon gas that is usually obtained from underground sources, often in association with petroleum and coal deposits. Natural gas generally contains a high percentage of methane and inert gases. See Methane.

Odourant: Is added to gas - Once the gas has passed through the compressor station it travels along the pipeline until it reaches a town or city. At the perimeter the gas enters a city gate or sales gate. In some places this is where an odourant is added giving gas its distinctive smell. The odourant is completely harmless and is added in the interests of safety so that gas leaks can be detected.

Regasification: The process by which LNG is heated, converting it into its gaseous state.

Reservoir: The portion of a resource, such as natural gas, that has been discovered and that is technically and economically extractable.

Storage Facilities: Facilities used for storing natural gas. These facilities are generally found as gaseous storage facilities and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities.