Infrastructure
LNG occupies 600 times less space than gas, but must be kept at temperatures below 160 degrees celsius and be pressurised. At the receiving terminal, LNG is unloaded and stored before being regasified and transported by pipe to the end-users.
The four main elements of the LNG value chain are:
Exploration and Production
LNG is a transportation method for natural gas and therefore natural gas must first be produced and transported to an LNG facility for processing
Shipping
Special tankers with insulation and auto-refrigeration keep the natural gas in liquid form as it is transported over massive bodies of water.
Liquefaction
This process converts gas to liquid by lowering the temperature of the gas to approximately -260 degrees Fahrenheit (-160 degrees Celsius)
Storage and Regasification
Once the LNG reaches its destination it is stored or regasified back to its gaseous state. The regasification process involves passing the LNG through a series of vaporizers that reheat the fuel