Gas has been utilized within cities around the world, as a source of energy for over 200 years.
In 1807 gas was used to provide lighting to the most important streets in London, with Paris and other major cities following the take up by around the 1830’s. Today the gas industry is one of the most important energy markets in the world, as it provides a safe, efficient and low cost energy source, which is cleaner than fuel oils.
In 2012, Africa had proved natural gas reserves of 14 trillion cubic metres (tcm), or 7.5% of the world’s known gas supply. As we enter the golden age of gas and with Africa being home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies, gas usage will play a significant role in powering the continent’s economies.
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a colorless, odourless and non-toxic gas that is used in a variety of applications. This naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture, consists mainly of methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Natural gas also contains small amounts of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, trace amounts of water and other impurities. These impurities are removed under controlled conditions, before the gas is supplied to customers.
How is gas formed?
Natural gas mostly forms deep below the surface of the earth and is held in place by millions of tons of rock and earth. The gas itself is formed from organic substances (decayed plants and animals that lived approximately 300 million years ago), buried beneath the earth and subjected to enormous pressures and temperatures. Over millions of years, these dead plants and animals slowly decompose into organic materials and form what is known as ‘fossil fuels’.
How does GDC deliver gas to customers?
Beginning work in 2005, the company that would become GDC began to look at the gas resources located beneath Logbaba. Gas exploration and development has a long proven track record and GDC was able to bring in some of the World’s leading technical companies to help deliver gas resources to the surface. Gas is brought to the surface by two gas wells; holes less than half a meter wide that lead all the way down to the gas resources. These wells can be regulated, opened and shut off, slowed down or sped up by the state of the art gas plant sitting at the surface of GDC’s Logbaba gas project. The plant itself ‘cleans’ the gas ready for delivery to our customers. There is also an amount of liquid gas, or condensate which we remove at the wellhead and transport to a refinery.
The remainder of the gas is then delivered to customers through an extensive pipeline built under the city of Douala. Safety is paramount to our operations and all work is undertaken to the standards set by British Gas (the UK’s major gas distributor). The gas network pipeline is also buried underground and patrolled 24/7 by our safety patrol who work closely with local communities to identify issues.
