Frequently Asked Questions

What is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that forms naturally from hydrocarbons produced millions of years ago when plant and animal remains were buried beneath layers of soil and rock. Over time, heat and pressure combined to transform this mass into fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

How is it produced?
Natural gas production involves hundreds of independent companies that find and develop natural gas reserves and operate gathering pipelines and processing plants.

SaskEnergy purchases natural gas from producers and delivers it to Saskatchewan customers. Our subsidiary, TransGas, also transports natural gas to customers who purchase natural gas directly from the producer.

How is natural gas processed?
To produce “pipeline quality natural gas,” raw natural gas from the fields is sent to nearby processing facilities where hydrocarbons (such as ethane, propane, and butane) as well as non-hydrocarbons (such as water and sulphur) are removed.

The remaining “processed natural gas” is more than 90% pure methane, the lightest hydrocarbon.

Can you tell me about natural gas pipelines?
Virtually all natural gas pipelines are buried. High-pressure transmission pipelines transport large volumes of natural gas over long distances. Low-pressure distribution pipelines are used for moving natural gas within communities.

Pipelines are checked regularly by air and ground crews to minimize the possibility of leaks or damage. Of note, both steel and plastic pipelines are used in Saskatchewan.

How is gas moved through the pipelines?
Natural gas moves through the pipeline system under pressure ranging from 9,000 kilo Pascals (kPa) or 1,300 pounds per square inch (psi) in major transmission lines to 140 kPa or 20 psi in the smaller distribution lines.

Saskatchewan’s compressor stations, located strategically throughout the province, elevate and maintain pipeline pressures to ensure a sufficient flow of natural gas reaches thousands of destinations. These stations move natural gas at speeds of 24 to 30 kilometres per hour.

Does SaskEnergy store natural gas?
The demand for natural gas varies throughout the year. In Saskatchewan, most natural gas is needed during cold weather to heat homes and buildings. During times of low demand, natural gas is injected and stored underground (in depleted natural gas fields or manufactured salt caverns) to be used later during times of high demand.

SaskEnergy is a world leader in underground storage technology and we have enough storage capacity to serve all Saskatchewan residential customers for a full year of average weather conditions.

What are Town Border Stations (TBSs) used for?
TBSs reduce the pipeline pressure from the transmission levels to a distribution level. Most TBSs include a line heater and a line filter (scrubber) that ensures that the natural gas continues to flow free of moisture and soil particles.

This is also where the odourant, (Mercaptan) is added to the system. Mercaptan gives natural gas its rotten egg smell as a safety precaution used to help detect leaks.

How do rural customers enjoy the benefits of natural gas?
Small farm stations allow SaskEnergy to tap high-pressure transmission lines for natural gas use on the farm. Rural customers use natural gas to heat their water, homes, and barns, and to fuel irrigation pumps, cutting torches, grain dryers, livestock watering bowls, and outdoor lighting. Other uses are being explored and developed each day with new technology.

How do industrial customers enjoy the benefits of natural gas?
Natural gas is used in many Saskatchewan industries such as steel, pulp, and paper, potash, petrochemical, electrical generation, and fertilizer production. Because of its cost, convenience, and efficiency, natural gas makes Saskatchewan industry more competitive in the world market.

How do commercial customers enjoy the benefits of natural gas?
Natural gas is the energy of choice for central heating hotels, hospitals, apartments, schools, office buildings, churches, restaurants, and recreation centres. It is also used for heating water, cooking, and numerous other commercial uses.

How do I benefit from natural gas use?
Over 92% of all Saskatchewan communities enjoy the benefits of natural gas service. Aside from the traditional uses in furnaces and water heaters, more and more people are choosing natural gas for fireplaces, clothes dryers, ranges, barbecues, outdoor lighting, pool heaters, and wide range of other applications.

Who are the people responsible for delivering my natural gas service?
SaskEnergy people, located throughout Saskatchewan, combine their skills and talents every day to assist customers with all aspects of natural gas use and service.

As part of the community, SaskEnergy’s goal is to be a leader in the solution for Saskatchewan’s energy, environmental, and economic challenges.