While most electric energy is delivered through integrated utility companies, four industry segments coordinate to bring natural gas from producing wells to homes and industry. Pipelines serve as the highways of the gas industry, making it possible for gas sellers and buyers to reach each other. Production and Gathering Natural gas is a commodity produced by major oil and gas companies and independent gas producers and traded in a competitive market. During the production phase, gas producers use advanced technology to locate and drill for gas reserves.
Gas is pumped from wells into gathering lines.
Gathering operations bring natural gas to processing plants that remove moisture and impurities from the gas stream, and to separate liquid byproducts. The United States produced 19 trillion cubic feet of gas in 1996, over 28 percent of the basic energy produced in the United States. There is an ample supply of natural gas to serve North America's energy needs well into the future. Marketing Marketing companies act independently from gas pipeline companies, and serve as sales agents or brokers, purchasing gas from producers, selling gas and arranging transportation for large consumers and local gas distribution companies. Transportation and Storage Interstate natural gas pipelines are transportation companies, like railroads or trucking companies.