Ethane is a simple hydrocarbon with 2 carbons and 6 hydrogens.

Ethane is a gas at room temperature. It is produced from natural gas wells along with methane and is often left in the natural gas that is sent to market.

Separated ethane is a major feed stock to steam crackers for the production of ethylene and its derivatives.

In a refinery, ethane is produced as part of the refinery gas generated by many refinery units and usually left in the gas burned as refinery fuel.