Hydrocarbons

A hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms only. They are named depending on how their atoms are arranged and how many carbon atoms they consist of. The simplest hydrocarbons are alkanes. Compounds containing one carbon atom are given the prefix 'meth', two carbon atoms 'eth'. These lighter hydrocarbons (methane and ethane) exist in their gaseous forms. As more atoms are added, compounds like propane, butane and pentane exist as liquids. These heavier hydrocarbons are commonly referred to as Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs).

Natural gas is almost purely methane.