2.4.4 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Processing Plants 



There are two types of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) processing 

 plants. The liquefaction plant takes natural gas from a gas field, 

 cools and compresses it, and then transfers the LNG to a specialized 

 tanker for transport. The regasification plant receives LNG from the 

 tanker, heats and vaporizes it and then sends the gas to a natural gas 

 pipeline distribution system. The LNG tanker is an elaborate ship with 

 a series of large self-contained tanks, which store the LNG under 

 pressure and cold temperatures for the oceanic voyage to the regasification 

 plant. LNG tankers are not designed to carry crude oil. Tankers currently 

 being built can carry 785,000 barrels (125,000 cubic meters) of LNG, 

 which is equivalent to 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The 

 vessels measure over 900 feet in length, with a draft of more than 35 

 feet. They are approximately the size of a large aircraft carrier or a 

 100,000 ton displacement oil tanker [51]. (See Figure 43) 



Figure 43. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plants, project 

 implementation schedule. 



INVESTMENT COMMITMENTS: 



Site Purchase 



Site Option(s 

 Taken 



Start of 

 Construction 



YEARS"" 



PERMIT ACQUISITIONS: 



Begin 

 O Processing 

 Operations 



Acquisition of Use and 

 Location Permits 



Operating Permits 



Preconstruction Permits 

 (Includes EIS) 



This involved system allows the utilization of gas from distant 

 fields which are not able to reach markets by the construction of 

 pipeline systems. Liquefaction, transport and regasification, as 

 expensive operations, can only be economically viable where demand for 

 gas is high and domestic supply is limited. Such a situation exists in 



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