20 interesting facts about LNG

Technical facts

1. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about −162 °C, for shipping and storage.
2. As a liquid, LNG takes up around 600 times less volume than gas at standard atmospheric pressure, which facilitates its transportation over long distances without the need of pipelines.
3. LNG production is called LNG liquefaction, which is supercooling natural gas into its liquid state.
4. The most common method for liquefying natural gas in large quantities is the cascade process, in which the natural gas is cooled by another gas which in turn has been cooled by still another gas – hence named the “cascade” process.
5. Intercontinental LNG transport travels by special tanker ships. LNG tankers are made of cryogenic steel, the double-walled tanks act like giant thermoses to keep the LNG cool during transportation.
6. LNG arrives to LNG terminals around the world. There it is “warmed” and returned to its gaseous state – this is called regasification. It is then transported by pipeline to distribution companies, industrial consumers, and power plants.
7. Most LNG terminals are onshore, while a build-out of Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) affords emerging market countries the opportunity to tap the LNG market in smaller ways. FSRUs are multi-function vessels, which combine LNG storage and built-in regasification systems onboard a ship.
8. In its liquid state, LNG is odourless, colourless, non-corrosive, and non-toxic. LNG in a liquid form does not burn because it does not contain oxygen.
9. Natural gas and LNG are the cleanest fossil fuels, producing 40% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal and 30% less than oil, thus making a positive contribution towards solving the climate crisis.

Business facts

10. Over the past decade, the LNG market has undergone significant changes globally. Liquefaction export capacities have doubled in the past 10 years, with the U.S. alone increasing from 2 bcm (billion cubic metres) to 114 bcm. Over the next decade, they are expected to double again to 260 bcm, pending approval of proposed LNG projects.
11. On the demand side, changes have also been striking. In the past decade, many countries such as Germany, Finland, and Bangladesh have begun importing LNG. China, for example, has quadrupled its import capacity over the same period. As a result, the market has expanded and diversified into a truly global landscape.
12. 200 to 240 American LNG cargo ships headed to Europe before 2022. In that year, the number jumped to 634. In 2024, we are at 722.
13. Currently the largest LNG exporter countries are the United States, Australia, Qatar, and Russia.
14. LNG – and US LNG in particular – will continue to play a crucial role in securing energy supply during Europe’s green transition as it represents the fossil fuel with the lowest carbon footprint. It supports the coal-to-gas transition and backs up weather-dependent renewable energy sources.
15. A strong US-EU partnership in LNG is crucial for both sides. Europe needs US LNG to cover critical electricity and heating needs, while the US benefits from the numerous jobs created from their massive liquefaction export projects. This transatlantic LNG partnership will provide both economies with economic stability over the coming decades.
16. The transatlantic energy partnership offers another significant advantage: the transportation routes between the US and Europe are stable and secure, with no conflict zones or political risks expected to disrupt supply. This security of transportation is a critical factor, as it ensures reliable and predictable LNG shipments to Europe.
17. Looking ahead, forecasting peak demand by 2040 is challenging, especially given the complexities in Asia, where demand is heavily influenced by coal-to-gas switching. While some analysts do predict a peak around 2040, uncertainty remains high, with regional factors playing a major role.
18. MET Group has one of the most diversified LNG import structures from a geographical perspective in Europe. The Swiss-based energy company has long-term regasification capacity in Germany, Croatia and Spain, and has imported into 8 different countries – including around the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, Croatia, Spain), Northwest Europe (UK, Belgium, Germany) and the Nordic region (Finland).
19. Since 2022, MET has delivered more than 30 cargoes of LNG to Europe annually.
20. MET Group has been proactive in securing long-term LNG supply agreements. Last year, the company signed a 20-year Heads of Agreement with US-based Commonwealth LNG for 1mn tonnes/year of LNG. In July 2024, MET entered into a 10-year free-on-board deal with Shell to purchase US LNG to supply its primary European customers, with the intent to continue growing its term-LNG portfolio. As part of this growth strategy, MET Group has reached a partnership agreement with Celsius to build MET’s first LNG vessel, scheduled to be delivered in 2027.