3.4.3  Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

• In addition to being stored as compressed gas (CNG), natural gas can also be stored in a liguid form called Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

• It was first produced in about 1917.

• LNG is processed natural gas that has been reduced to −265 degrees F (−165 C) at atmospheric pressure.

• If not kept at or below this temperature the liquid will boil and become a gas.

• A liquefaction process purifies LNG to almost 100% methane.

• CNG can be produced from LNG.

• When natural gas becomes LNG it takes up only about 1/600th of the space.

• The first ship to carry LNG was a converted cargo vessel, the “Methane Pioneer, in 1959.

• In 1964 the “Methane Princess” and the “Methane Progress”, both managed by Shell, became the first ships purpose- built to carry LNG.