Final answer:
As a methane molecule, I traveled from underground reservoirs, through a petroleum drilling operation, to a gas processing plant, along transmission pipelines, to a storage facility, and then through local distribution systems to a home's kitchen stove.
Step-by-step explanation:
Natural Gas Getaway
Pretending to be as small as a methane molecule, my journey began deep beneath the earth's surface. Imprisoned in a subterranean reservoir, I was snugly nestled on top of an oil deposit. The extraction process began with the drilling of a well, whereupon I, joined by other hydrocarbons, surged upwards propelled by the intense underground pressure. Through the wellbore, I made my first appearance on the surface.
My second stop was at the petroleum drilling operation, where I was separated from oil. I then entered a network of pipelines, representing a massive distribution system crucial for transporting natural gas. Next, I arrived at a processing facility where I encountered liquid hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon gases; this is where 'wet' natural gas is refined into 'dry'.
The fourth stop on my journey was the gas processing plant, where by-products like propane and butane were stripped out. This purification ensured that I could be safely used for heating and cooking. Afterwards, I travelled through large transmission pipelines, snaking across the country, representing my fifth stop. My subsequent stop was a storage facility where I was held until needed for peak demands.
As demand soared, I was thrust into smaller, secondary pipelines as the seventh stop. Eventual eighth and ninth stops included the local distribution company and then the meter at someone's home. Finally, after passing through the home's internal piping, I arrived at my ultimate destination: a cozy kitchen stove where I would combust to cook a warm meal or heat the house, completing my getaway.