LNG
The global change in the dynamics of energy supply, production and consumption has brought Liquid Natural Gas (“LNG”) to the forefront of the energy industry.
When extracted natural gas contains a mixture of methane, ethane, propane, and butane. The latter two are usually separated and stored at low pressure before being sold as liquified petroleum gas (LPG). LNG is primarily methane, that has been liquefied for ease of storing and transporting. LNG is produced by cooling natural gas below its boiling point, −162 °C (−259 °F). LNG, molicules are 600 times smaller than natural gas and is stored in double-walled cryogenic containers at or slightly above atmospheric pressure. LNG can therefore be easily shipped overseas and once at its destination It can be converted back to its gaseous form by simply raising the temperature.
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LNG is more practical than liquefied petroleum gas or other liquid gases, particularly for use in large volumes, because it has the same chemical composition as natural gas. This fact and the growing demand for natural gas have stimulated LNG production. Moreover, LNG technology has made it possible to utilize natural gas from remote areas of the world where it previously had no commercial use and was flared (burned).
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LNG is transported in special tankers, known as LNG carriers that are outfitted with supercooled cryogenic tanks, transport LNG from such countries as Qatar, Australia, Indonesia, and Algeria to markets in China, Europe, and Japan. LNG is usually reverted to its gaseous state (regasified) at the import terminals in the receiving countries, where it can then be injected into natural gas pipelines to be moved to power plants and distribution companies for various industrial uses.
