According to the Energy Information Administration, the US has a 200 trillion cubic feet natural gas reserve and ensures one-fifth of the global production. Approximately 180,000 miles of interstate pipelines deliver natural gas throughout the US, efficiently assuring that every need of the consumers is met. For those interested in gas production, a gas map can provide a wide variety of detailed information about the functioning of the interstate natural gas pipeline system. Natural gas is preferred to other fossil-based fuels, like oil and coal, because it generates lower levels of sulfur and therefore is much cleaner and environmental-friendly. Its contribution to the 'greenhouse effect' is considerably lower than that of the other fossil-based fuels and many safety precautions have been taken to keep the risks involved in its use as low as possible. The interstate pipeline system is the safest means of transportation currently available and the development of a complete, detailed and accurate gas map has been of great help to researchers who spend millions of dollars every year in efforts to make the pipeline system increasingly safer. Another safety precaution is adding an odorous substance in the odorless natural gas in order to prevent any leaks from remaining undetected and endangering the lives of the consumers. Raw natural gas is formed through the dissolution of plants, animals and sea life between grains of rock. It is brought to the surface through wells and requires processing in order to remove oil, water and other compounds before it can be transported through the pipeline system. In order to produce 'pipeline quality' natural gas all of the natural hydrocarbons and fluids must be separated from the pure gas. In some cases, the associated hydrocarbons can be of value if used separately by providing raw materials for oil refineries. Although some of the processing takes place near the wellhead, most of the natural gas is transported through a network of gathering pipelines to the nearest centralized processing plant. Sometimes extra processing is needed to make sure all the natural gas liquids have been removed. This phase of the gas production process occurs in the so-called straddle extraction plants, located on the major pipeline systems. Natural gas production is mostly spread throughout the southern states where most of the natural reservoirs are situated. There are approximately 393,000 gas wells in the US which ensure two-thirds of the national gas production, the remaining being provided by oil wells. Distribution is the final phase in the process of delivering the natural gas to the consumers. The vast majority of users receive gas from the local distribution systems whereas the large commercial and industrial customers obtain natural gas directly from high capacity interstate pipelines. The use of the gas map is an indispensable instrument for executives, managers or engineers who conduct their business in the field of natural gas distribution or pipeline development. Natural gas is traditionally transported through carbon steel pipelines with diameters varying between 12 and 42 inches. The smaller pipelines are used to transport natural gas from the delivery points of the large municipal areas to the individual customers while the ones with the largest diameters are the high capacity interstate pipelines. The newest developments allow natural gas to be transported through plastic and corrugated stainless steel pipes as a convenient alternative for the rigid steel tubing. Natural gas is a basic resource for industries, commercial establishments and residences alike. One-fourth of the energy demanded annually in the US is provided by natural gas production and more than 62 million homes throughout the country depend on natural gas on a daily basis. Gas maps play the important part of offering complete and valuable information about the American interstate pipeline system for companies or researchers who are preoccupied with this crucial part of the US infrastructure.
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