Bringing LNG to the United States
This system, from extracting natural gas beneath the land and sea to serving the consumer, allows for maximum flexibility in terms of matching supply and demand, reducing dependency on a single supplier or market and ensuring that natural gas is available to American consumers.
Read more about the advantages of LNG.
FROM WELL TO SHIP
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is extracted from the ground. Many countries with excess natural gas supplies sell it to countries with strong demand. However, natural gas cannot be efficiently transported very long distances (e.g. across oceans) in its gaseous state.
Therefore, natural gas is converted to LNG by cooling it to -260° Fahrenheit at liquefaction facilities. In its liquid form, natural gas reduces to 1/600th of its volume as a gas, making it cost effective to transport over long distances.
Read more about LNG.
FROM COAST TO COAST
LNG is shipped on secure and specially designed ships from countries that export natural gas to countries that import natural gas. Carriers have traveled more than 151 million miles without a major incident in LNG's 50-plus year shipping history. LNG carriers are double-hulled, with more than six feet of space between the outer hull and inner hulls. This design makes LNG ships extremely strong, minimizing the likelihood of leaks or ruptures in the unlikely event of an accident.
Upon reaching U.S. waters, the Coast Guard oversees the movement of LNG ships through ports. It also has the authority to review background checks of crews, order internal ship searches and require the use of Sea Marshals (specially trained and armed Coast Guard personnel).
Read more about the ships that transport LNG.
FROM SHIP TO PIPELINE
Upon arrival at its destination, LNG is generally transferred to specially designed and secured storage tanks and then warmed to its gaseous state – a process called regasification. It is transported via pipelines to consumers, industries and power generators who rely on natural gas.
Read more about LNG terminals.
FROM PIPELINE TO CONSUMER
Once LNG returns to its gaseous state, it is distributed as natural gas through pipelines to consumers. The transportation infrastructure has thousands of miles of pipelines across the country. Much of this process is managed by local distribution companies. The 65 million American households that use natural gas in their homes are familiar with the local utilities that manage these distribution systems in their communities.
Read more about how natural gas is used.
FROM WELL TO SHIP
FROM COAST TO COAST
FROM SHIP TO PIPELINE
FROM PIPELINE TO CONSUMER