b'PIPELINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDELINESPRODUCTS AND FACILITIESNatural Gas (DOT ERG 115)Natural gas is the predominant product found in gas distribution pipelines, https://vimeo.com/428841393 and with few exceptions, is transported via pipelines in its gaseous form. Like crude oil, it is a naturally occurring resource formed millions of years ago as a result of heat and pressure acting on decayed organic material. It isextractedfromwellsandtransportedthrough gatheringpipelinestoprocessingfacilities.From these facilities it is transported through transmis-sion pipelines to distribution centers (or distribu-tionpipelinesystems).Themainingredientin natural gas is methane (94%). Natural gas is odor-less, colorless, tasteless and nontoxic in its natural state.Whentransportedviatransmissionpipe-lines, natural gas typically does not have odorant added. An odorant is added when it is delivered to a distribution system. At ambient temperatures it remains a lighter than air gas; however, it can be compressed (CNG) under high pressure to make it convenient for use in other applications or liq-uefied (LNG) under extremely cold temperatures (-260 F) to facilitate transportation.Indications of a LeakAn odor like rotten eggs or a burnt match (odorized natural gas only)A loud roaring sound like a jet engineA hissing or whistling noiseFire coming out of or on top of the groundDirt blowing from a hole in the groundAn area of frozen ground in the summerAn unusual area of melted snow in the winterAn area of dead vegetationBubbling in pools of waterHazards of a ReleaseHighly flammable and easily ignited by heat or sparksWill displace oxygen and can cause asphyxiationFire may produce irritating and/or toxic gasesVapors may form an explosive mixture with airVapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warningIs lighter than air and can migrate into enclosed spaces8 2020 by Pipeline Association for Public AwarenessPERG 2020 Final.indd 8 8/5/20 4:17 PM'