Why is natural gas considered a better fossil fuel than oil?

• A. It burns cleaner and has higher efficiency.
• B. It is cheaper to extract.
• C. It produces more CO2 per unit energy.
• D. It is less versatile for energy applications.

Answer: (A)

Natural gas is considered better in terms of emissions and energy use because it burns cleaner and enables higher efficiency. It’s mainly methane, which has more hydrogen relative to carbon than oil or coal. When burned, this tends to produce less carbon dioxide per unit of energy, and it releases far fewer pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and particulates. In modern power plants, especially combined-cycle plants, natural gas can convert a larger share of the fuel’s energy into electricity, giving higher overall efficiency than most oil- or coal-fired options. These cleaner emissions and greater efficiency are why it’s viewed as a preferable fossil fuel.

Other statements don’t fit as well: extraction costs vary by location and aren’t universally lower; natural gas does not produce more CO2 per unit energy—it's typically lower; and natural gas is actually quite versatile for electricity, heating, and industrial uses, not less versatile.