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LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to minus 260 degrees Farenheit, the point at which gas condenses to a liquid. In its liquid state, LNG is a clear liquid with a density about half that of water. This volume reduction permits cost-effective transportation of LNG over long distances.
LNG Video
LNG Properties
Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel. LNG is odorless, colorless, non-corrosive and non-toxic. Therefore, LNG will not pollute land or water resources.
Natural Gas Availability
There are huge reserves of natural gas beneath the earth’s surface. The largest reserves of natural gas can be found in Russia, West and North Africa, the Middle East and South America. Leading importers of LNG are Japan, Korea, France and Spain. LNG has been produced domestically and imported into the United States for more than three decades. As domestic production of natural gas declines, imported LNG will become an increasingly important source of clean and reliable energy.
The LNG Industry
The modern LNG industry has an enviable legacy of safe operations including more than 40,000 safe LNG carrier voyages. Worldwide there are 17 LNG production and export terminals, 41 import terminals and 141 LNG ships altogether handling approximately 120 million metric tons of LNG every year. These numbers are predicted to increase dramatically over the next decade due to the growing popularity of this clean fuel source.
The United States has the highest number of LNG facilities in the world. There are currently 113 active LNG facilities across the U.S. with a higher concentration of facilities in the northeast region. Among this number are 58 facilities to liquefy and store natural gas, 39 facilities that are used for LNG storage only, four facilities that received imported LNG and regasify it for domestic use, and one export terminal in Alaska operated by ConocoPhillips.
Currently, LNG imports account for less than one percent of the total U.S. consumption of natural gas. However, it represents an important part of future energy supply within the Untied States. With an abundance of gas reserves worldwide, LNG is one of the fastest growing segments in the energy industry with an expected 10 to 15 percent annual growth rate over the next decade.
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LNG is a natural gas cooled to -260 degrees Fahrenheit.
LNG has only 55% the density of air and will vaporize quickly if exposed to air.
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