National Overview

Btu Content

The natural gas received and transported by the major intrastate and interstate mainline transmission systems must be within a specific energy (Btu) content range.  Generally, the acceptable Btu content is 1,035 Btu per cubic foot, with an acceptable deviation of +/-50 Btu. However, when natural gas is extracted, its Btu content can be very different from acceptable pipeline specifications. The Btu content of natural gas extracted varies depending on the presence of water, NGLs, as well as CO2, nitrogen, helium, and others.

Significant amounts of NGLs in natural gas is generally associated with higher Btu values. Consistent with this, Btu values reported by plants in Texas and other Gulf of Mexico States are comparatively high (Table 3). On the other hand, coalbed methane and CO2-rich natural gas generally has much lower Btu values, as evidenced by the lower Btu values in the ranges depicted in the table below. Some notable examples of States that are home to coalbed methane fields are New Mexico, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Colorado. In States with coalbed methane fields, shale gas, and conventional fields, the Btu values reported by processing plant operators showed wide ranges. This was particularly the case in Oklahoma, as well as Wyoming, New Mexico, and North Dakota.