WHY COUNTRIES ARE TURNING TO LNG
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
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With global energy demand expected to grow by a further 18 % by 2035 , over the coming decades liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) is predicted to be a fast-growing fossil fuel of choice due to its vast quantity , lesser environmental impacts over coal and oil , versatility and safety . LNG trade increased from 100mn tonnes in 2000 to nearly 300mn tonnes in 2017 .
LNG is the liquification process of natural gas – extracted from beneath the earth ’ s crust – predominantly comprised of methane . The natural gas is cooled to -162oC ( -260oF ) in order to liquify it and , as a result , occupy 600 times less space ., This makes long distance and overseas transportation easier and more economical . Once transportation is complete , LNG goes through a regasification process for distribution .
WHY COUNTRIES ARE TURNING TO LNG
LNG currently is a vastly untapped resource ; the US alone has an estimated 2,384trnn cubic feet of recoverable resources ( 2013 ). When burned , natural gas produces 45 % less carbon dioxide than coal , 30 % less than oil , and 15 % less than wood , making LNG a preferred environmental alternative . It is estimated that if LNG was used to displace coal in China it would reduce CO2 emissions by 60 to 90mn tonnes per year .
OCTOBER 2019