Natural gas, which is primarily methane, doesn't actually have any odor at all. So for safety, most gas companies add small quantities of a compound call Mercaptan. It's what gives it the smell of rotten eggs and this is for safety so people know when there is a gas leak.

Does methane have any smell?

Methane is an odorless, colorless, flammable gas. ... You can smell leaking methane only when commercial gas utility companies add a chemical smell to it or when it mixes naturally with hydrogen sulfide, causing a "rotten egg" smell.

What happens when you smell methane?

The symptoms include: loss of smell (you'll no longer be able to smell the rotten egg odor of sewer gas) mouth, throat, and lung irritation. eye irritation and pink eye.