Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural methane gas which is retained as a liquid by cooling it to minus 160 degrees Celsius. LNG is a particularly useful way to get large quantities of gas from gas fields to end consumer markets which may be quite a distance away. The process of delivering LNG to markets has five steps. First, natural gas is pumped from off-shore gas fields to onshore facilities as normal. Second, in the producing country, the gas is cooled to a liquid state ready to be shipped to the end market. Third, the LNG is transported to another country using specialized cargo ships. Fourth, the LNG is off-loaded to special storage facilities in the receiving country. The storage facilities are typically near a sea port and are well secured. Finally, the liquid is warmed to normal temperature and pumped into the gas distribution system of the receiving country where it eventually reaches the end consumer. While this may seem like a lengthy and costly process, it is more efficient and practical than building pipelines.

Questions 

1 When does the ‘product’ materialize in the LNG process described above?

2 Would you imagine there is any waste in the LNG production process?