Natural gas is formed by the decay of organic matter. Natural gas reserves or deposits come from large quantities of plant and animal remains that have accumulated between layers of sediment on the bottoms of lakes and oceans over millions of years. The pressure from the layers of sediment and the heat from the earth's core convert the organic materials into natural gas, petroleum and coal. Natural gas is found throughout the world in reservoirs deep beneath the surface of the earth and floor of the oceans. It forms as pockets of gas over crude oil deposits or is trapped in porous rock formations.
All oil deposits contain natural gas, although natural gas is often found without oil.
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