You are on page 1of 4

How Does LNG Work?

Because of its physical state, natural gas is inherently a domestic product. As a gas, the
hydrocarbon must be transported by pipeline, which restricts the number of end users. Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) was developed in 1964 as a solution to this problem.
With LNG, gas is liquefied and transported internationally via tankers and then regasified into its
original state for distribution and sale. Additionally, the hydrocarbon takes up significantly less
space as a liquid than a gas; LNG is approximately 1/600th the volume of the same amount of
natural gas.

LNG Liquefaction PlantSource: Center for Liquefied Natural Gas

LNG has transformed the natural gas market, making previously unrecoverable natural gas
finds an economic reality. In other words, stranded gas reservoirs, for which pipelines were too
costly to construct, can now be produced, transformed into LNG and transported via tanker.

Liquefaction
When in the reservoir, natural gas is found in three states: non-associated, where there is no oil
contact; gas cap, where it is overlying an oil reserve; and associated gas, which is dissolved in
the oil. The composition of the natural gas defines how it will be processed for transport.
Whether staying in its gaseous state or being transformed into a liquid, natural gas from the well
must undergo separation processes to remove water, acid gases and heavy hydrocarbons from
the recovered natural gas.
The next step in processing is determined by what type of transport the gas will undergo, and
specifications are met according to the transportation system. For LNG, additional processing is
required before the condensation of the gas to remove the threat of crystallization in the heat
exchangers in the liquefaction plant. When chemical conversion is used to liquefy natural gas,
the conversion process determines which preliminary process must be used. Additionally,
fractionation between methane and heavier hydrocarbons is performed during liquefaction. This

way, after regasification the fuel can be loaded directing into the distribution network of
pipelines.

LNG Liquefaction PlantSource: Center for Liquefied Natural Gas

Natural gas is liquefied by lowering the temperature of the hydrocarbon to approximately -260
degrees Fahrenheit (-160 degrees Celsius). This temperature drop liquefies the methane
present in the natural gas, making transportation at atmospheric pressure in the form of LNG
possible. LNG is mainly constituted of methane and generally contains ethane, as well.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) may also be present in the LNG.

Transportation
LNG is then introduced into specially insulated tankers and transported around the world. LNG
is kept in its liquid form via autorefrigeration. This is a process in which the fuel is kept at its
boiling point. Through autorefrigeration any additions of heat are offset by the energy lost from
the LNG vapor, vented out of the storage and used to power the tanker.

LNG Being Loaded Onto a TankerSource: Center for Liquefied Natural Gas

LNG Tanker at SeaSource: Center for Liquefied Natural Gas

LNG has little to no chance of igniting or exploding should a spill occur. When LNG is vaporized
into its gaseous form, the fuel will only burn when mixed with air in concentrations of 5 and 15%.
Additionally, LNG and the vapors associated with it do not explode in an open environment.

Regasification

LNG Regasification PlantSource: Center for Liquefied Natural Gas

Once it has reached its destination, the LNG is offloaded from the tanker and either stored or
regasified. The LNG is dehydrated into a gaseous state again through a process that involves
passing the LNG through a series of vaporizers that reheat the fuel above the -260 degree
Fahrenheit (-160 degrees Celsius) temperature mark. The fuel is then sent via established
transportation methods, such as pipelines, to the end users.

Applications
Although limited because of the number of liquefaction and regasification facilities located
worldwide, LNG is gaining momentum. Major ongoing LNG projects include the multi-billiondollar Gorgon LNG project in Australia, as well as the Olokola LNG project in Nigeria and the
LionGas LNG project in the Netherlands.
According to the EIA, countries in Asia Pacific are the largest exporters of LNG, and the Middle
East is also a leading LNG exporting region. Historically some of the largest importers of LNG,
Japan and South Korea depend almost solely on internationally produced LNG for their natural
gas needs. European countries also import a large percentage of the LNG produced globally.
Emerging markets for the fuel are China and India, although those countries are currently
pursuing major pipeline deals in an effort to increase their natural gas imports.
Currently, LNG represents only about 1% of the natural gas consumed in the United States.
Right now, the country imports LNG from Trinidad and Tobago, Qatar, Algeria, Nigeria, Oman,
Australia, Indonesia and the UAE.
According to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), there are currently eight
LNG processing facilities in operation in the country; seven are regasification plants, and one is
a liquefaction facility. Presently, there are 40 additional LNG projects under consideration in the
US. LNG imports are expected to increase to an average of 15.8% or 4.8 Tcf of the natural gas
used in the US by 2025.

You might also like