NATURAL GAS—SAFE, CLEAN ENERGY

ITS MAKEUP

Natural gas is a combustible gas found in natural deposits hundreds of meters underground. It forms from decomposed organic materials from plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Under intense heat and pressure, these organic materials gradually turn into a gas whose main elements are methane, nitrogen, and water. Made up of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms (CH₄), methane is the simplest form of hydrocarbon.

ITS PROPERTIES

In its pure state, natural gas is odorless

Before distribution, a sulphur-based organic compound called mercaptan is added to the natural gas, giving it a rotten egg odor. This makes it possible to detect natural gas in the air in concentrations of less than 1%.

Natural gas is not toxic

Medical research has concluded that human beings can breathe air composed of up to 25% natural gas without any harmful effects. It is the lack of oxygen and not the negative effect of the gas that could cause discomfort. Natural gas is lighter than air, and should it leak, it quickly dissipates into the atmosphere. Therefore, unlike propane, natural gas cannot accumulate on the ground.

Natural gas burns cleanly

Household appliances that function with natural gas produce no soot, smoke, or cinders. Any fumes produced when natural gas is burned are mainly composed of water vapor. Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels. It contributes the least to smog, acid rain, and global warming.

WHAT IS LNG?

LNG is liquefied natural gas-natural gas that has been cooled to a temperature of -160º C, at which point it becomes a liquid. LNG takes up 1/600th of the volume of the same quantity of energy in a gaseous state. This reduction in volume makes it possible to transport huge quantities of natural gas over long distances in specially designed vessels called LNG tankers.

LNG is odorless and colorless. It is not pressurized, corrosive, or toxic. It is very cold and since it is lighter than water, it floats on the surface. LNG does not burn or explode because it does not contain oxygen to react with a combustible. In an open area at normal temperatures, LGN returns to its gaseous state and the vapor dissipates quickly into the air, so it cannot explode. LNG itself is not flammable. You could even extinguish a cigarette in it.

Of course once it evaporates, natural gas is flammable if it comes into contact with an ignition source. The burned gas would release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor, exactly like it would when used for residential heating or cooking. For the vapor to be flammable, the concentration in the air must be between 5% and 15% and near a source of ignition. Below 5% the concentration of combustibles is too low to start a fire, and over 15%, there is not enough oxygen in the air.

LNG VIDEO

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THE GLOBAL IMPORTANCE OF LNG

LNG has been a proven technology for nearly 40 years in a number of countries around the world, including France, Belgium, Spain, Korea, and the U.S. The world's biggest LNG user is Japan, which depends on imported LNG to meet close to 100% of its natural gas needs.

In Canada, LNG is not widely used although there are seven proposed terminal projects, including one currently under construction in St-John, New Brunswick. Gaz Métro also owns an LNG regasification, storage and liquefaction facility that it has operated in east-end Montréal for over 30 years.

Source: GIIGNL

THE LNG SUPPLY CHAIN

LNG delivery is a multistep process. First, the liquefaction plants near the natural gas production sites transform the natural gas into liquefied natural gas.

Next, the LNG is loaded into LNG tankers and transported to import terminals in consumer countries, where it is unloaded in storage tanks to undergo regasification. Once returned to its gaseous state, the natural gas is distributed to customers through pipelines.

The entire LNG production and delivery process is governed by strict guidelines and requires dependable sources of supply and regular distribution. Accessible, reliable port facilities are therefore crucial to the safe production and delivery of LNG.

The LNG supply chain