When methane is burned completely, the principal products are carbon dioxide and water vapor. Natural gas combustion results in virtually no atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide or small particulate matter. Emissions of carbon monoxide, reactive hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide are far lower with natural gas than combustion of other fossil fuels.
Natural gas can make an immediate contribution toward solving pollution problems.
Natural gas is a key component to creating viable new energy technologies that will reduce our dependence on high-carbon fossil fuels that pollute the environment. There are minimal risks associated with these marine pipelines. Natural gas is lighter than air, and if a marine leak were to occur, the gas would simply rise to the surface of the water and dissipate into the air. The chance of combustion is very small. If a leak were large enough, the gas would rise in large bubbles.