Dismissed as a useless byproduct of oil production until the second
half of the 20th century, natural gas now provides 23 percent of all
energy consumed in the world. And the demand is growing.
An economical, environmentally friendly and efficient energy source,
natural gas is the cleanest-burning conventional fuel, producing lower
levels of greenhouse gas emissions than heavier hydrocarbon fuels, such
as coal and oil. Historically, natural gas also has been one of the most
economical energy sources. Natural gas fuels electric power generators,
heats buildings and is used as a raw material in many consumer products,
such as those made of traditional plastics.
The International Energy Agency predicts that natural gas demand will
grow by more than 67 percent through 2030.
What Is Liquefied Natural Gas?
The world has enormous quantities of natural gas, but much of it is
in areas far from where the gas is needed. To move this environmentally
friendly fuel great distances across oceans, natural gas must be
converted into liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is natural gas that has
been cooled to -260F, changing it from a gas into a liquid 1/600th its
original volume. This dramatic reduction in size allows it to be shipped
safely and efficiently aboard specially designed LNG vessels. After
arriving at its destination, LNG is warmed to return it to its gaseous
state and delivered to natural gas customers through local pipelines.
