Editorial: Methane and Hydrocarbons

摘要

Shale gas has received much attention in recent years particularly in the USA and in Europe. It is a useful fuel source but also comes with the attendant risks and challenges associated with maximising the useful extraction of fuel, minimising costs and also protecting the environment. Its constituent component is essentially methane, the same as any other source of natural gas and it is this which makes itself useful in a variety of ways as a fuel and feedstock.The extraction of unconventional gas as well as unconventional oil requires new technologies, with one of the challenges being to develop the most economical extraction process, given the large investments required. Tracerco, a Johnson Matthey company, provides solutions to this problem with its tracer technologies and an article outlining a case study of their application is included in this issue (1).Methane, the major component of both shale gas and conventionally derived natural gas, also occurs in a number of other applications and it is not always welcome.