The goal of the European Union is to achieve a sustainable energy mix, ultimately leading to the penetration of renewable energies as far as 20% of end energy use.

The rational use of energy sources has to make a balance between economic and social development with the least possible impact on the environment, so allowing sustainable development.

Of all fossil fuels, natural gas is outstanding for presenting the least environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from its extraction to its final use, so allowing it to contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse effect.

Natural gas is principally made up methane, which means it emits a lower amount of carbon dioxide per unit of energy than any other fossil fuel during combustion. Furthermore, it contains no sulphur beyond that corresponding to the odorant, nor any volatile organic compounds, heavy hydrocarbons or other impurities, and its metal content is practically nil.

Natural gas is considered to be a clean energy and one for the future given its characteristics:

• It produces the lowest quantity of CO2 per energy unit of all fossil fuels.
• It does not contain sulphur, so, SO2 does not appear in combustion.
• Solid particles are not produced.
• The technology developed for the combustion of natural gas reduces the formation of nitrogen oxides.
• In all its industrial applications, its performance is high, so reducing consumption of primary energy.