Generating, Migrating and Trapping Methane Gas (CH₄)

Expected Answers

1. According to the organic theory, crude oil and natural gas are made from the remains of animals and plants.
2. Sedimentary rocks have pore spaces to contain oil and natural gas. Metamorphic and igneous rocks do not. Also sedimentary rocks formed from layers of sediment containing organic matter from which hydrocarbons are formed.
3. Most organic matter is not successfully converted to oil and natural gas and only a small portion of the oil and gas that is generated will wind up in a trap.
4. Organic, pertaining to compounds or material that came from living things.
   Hydrocarbon, compounds containing only (mainly) hydrogen and carbon.
   Porosity, the percentage (amount) of pore space in a rock.
   Permeability, the degree to which a rock will allow the passage of fluids.
   Reservoir, a porous and permeable sedimentary rock which may contain water, oil or natural gas.
   Trap, an arrangement of sedimentary rocks in such a way as to permit the accumulation of hydrocarbons.
   Seal, an impermeable layer (on top of a trap) that prevents the further migration of hydrocarbons.
5. The starter brew equates to the organic rich sediment being deposited in a swamp. The tubing represents porous and permeable rocks that allow the migration of the gas. The second jug represents a sealed trap because it holds the migrating gas. The flame jet represents a well producing gas from the trap.
6. Yes, the clamp represents part of the seal. If it were not there, the gas would all escape.