Dictionary.com defines natural gas as "a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that occurs with petroleum deposits, principally methane together with varying quantities of ethane, propane, butane, and other gases, and is used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic compounds."
Methane is found in the earth's crust in pockets of the gas. Wells are generally dug to the source, and then pipelines are laid to transport the gas to where it is needed. Natural gas was used in the past mainly to fuel lamps, and has recently been used to provide stoves, ovens, and other appliances with energy. Transportation is now beginning to utilize natural gas, and is using it as a fuel in some vehicles.
