What is LNG?

Natural gas plays a vital role in the U.S. energy supply. It is widely used as a fuel for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is processed natural gas that has been condensed into a liquid form by reducing its temperature to approximately minus 260°F (minus 162°C) at ambient pressure.  This process is known as liquefaction.  LNG takes up about 1/600th of the volume of natural gas in its vapor state, thus LNG can be more readily and economically stored and transported. Specially insulated and refrigerated tanks are used to store and transport LNG.  To be used, LNG must be warmed so that it transitions back to natural gas in its gaseous form – this warming and vaporization process is called regasification.  The vaporized natural gas is then injected back into a pipeline system or used to fuel natural gas operated equipment.