The LNG Process

Key steps

Gas Production

Natural gas, or coal seam gas in the case of the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, is collected from underground reservoirs and transported by pipeline to an LNG plant.

Liquefaction

In the liquefaction process, impurities are removed from the gas before it is cooled. The cooling of natural gas to -162°C causes it to liquefy at which point it takes up 1/600th of its original volume.

This allows the gas to be stored and transported safely and economically in large vessels.

Transportation

LNG is transported in specially insulated, double-hull tankers that usually carry about 125,000m³ to 170,000m³ of gas, enough energy to power every household in Brisbane city for approximately four-and-a-half weeks.

The LNG remains at -162ºC during transit and ships are often powered by the gas they carry.

The global fleet of LNG ships currently includes 200 vessels and more than 20 of those are operated by BG Group. The company has two new, dual-fuel diesel electric vessels on order, each with a cargo capacity of 170,000m³.

Regasification

When LNG is off-loaded at regasification terminals, the liquefaction process is reversed.

LNG is pumped from ships to onshore storage tanks and warmed so it returns to natural gas.

It is then transported through local pipeline systems and used to cook meals, warm homes, and power cars, buses and power stations.