FAQs
As we begin work on the Elba III Terminal Expansion Project, we anticipate that people may have a number of questions about the terminal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
We thought you might find it useful to have some information now to answer many questions we are being asked and to begin an open dialogue between Southern LNG and the public.
Questions we've answered here include some about the properties of LNG, LNG terminals, and safety. Finally, we've included a section on how you can get more information.
Of course, these questions are not all the questions that could be asked about the project. And they may not be the questions that have come to your mind. If you would like an answer to a question not addressed here, please call Dan Tennison at (912)-231-8307.
Questions and Answers concerning our proposed project.
LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas):
LNG Properties:
LNG Terminals:
Importing LNG:
Safety:
Communication and More Information:
LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas):
What is LNG?
LNG stands for liquefied natural gas. Natural gas is colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. LNG is natural gas that has been supercooled to a liquid at -260° F.
Why liquefy natural gas?
Liquefying natural gas reduces its volume by more than 600 times making it more practical to store and transport. If natural gas were transported by vessel in its gaseous state, it would take 600 tankers to transport an amount of gas equivalent to that carried by one LNG tanker.
How do you liquefy natural gas?
Natural gas is converted to a liquid state through a refrigeration process located at export facilities. These facilities are called liquefaction plants.
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Where does LNG come from?
LNG primarily comes from areas where large gas discoveries have been made. Leading exporters of LNG are Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Qatar, and Trinidad.
Who receives LNG?
LNG is imported by many countries, including European countries, Japan, and the United States. 97% of all natural gas consumed in Japan comes from LNG.
How is LNG transported?
LNG is transported in large ships specially designed to store LNG safely at temperatures near minus 260° F. These ships are double hulled and are about 900 feet long and 140 feet wide. LNG ships are required to meet international maritime construction and operating standards as well as rigorous Coast Guard safety and security regulations.
How is LNG ultimately beneficial to U.S. citizens?
LNG supplements America's natural gas supply. Natural gas is used in residential homes for cooking, to provide heat and hot water. The United States natural gas market is expected to grow from 23 trillion cubic feet to 29 trillion cubic feet within the next 10 years. In order to meet that growing demand, LNG must play an increasingly larger role in the country's energy mix.
top LNG Properties:
Will LNG explode?
No. LNG is not explosive or flammable in its liquid state.
Will LNG burn?
No. LNG is a liquid that does not burn because it does not contain oxygen. Vapor from LNG can burn as discussed below.
What happens if LNG spills?
If LNG spills it will vaporize. The resulting vapors will warm and expand and become lighter than air. The vapors will disperse with the prevailing wind.
What is the risk from a vapor cloud?
The risk from a vapor cloud is the potential for a fire. If ignition of a vapor cloud were to occur, the flame will burn slowly back through the vapors to the point of release. Unconfined methane vapor clouds cannot explode.
When will a vapor cloud burn?
LNG vapors are flammable if they exist at a 5 to 15% concentration in air. If the vapor concentration is lower than 5% it cannot burn because of insufficient fuel. If the vapor concentration is higher than 15% it cannot burn because there is insufficient oxygen. Therefore, the fire hazard of LNG requires 1) a spill or other release from designed containment systems, 2) conversion of the LNG into vapor, 3) the mixing of vapors with air in a 5-15% ratio, and 4) contact of the air/vapor mix with an ignition source. If LNG vapors were to ignite, flames would burn back along the vapor path toward the source of the spill. top
LNG Terminals:
What does an LNG terminal look like?
An LNG import terminal consists of one or more docks, one or more LNG storage tanks, vaporizers and other equipment to turn the LNG from a cold liquid back into natural gas, and piping to transport the LNG and natural gas through the plant to a natural gas transportation pipeline.
Where is the Southern LNG terminal?
The terminal is located on Elba Island near Savannah, Georgia
Who is responsible for regulations that apply to the Elba Island
Terminal?
The Elba Island terminal is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Department of Transportation (DOT), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE).
How many ships annually dock at the Elba Island Terminal?
50 ships docked at the Elba Island terminal in 2005. top Importing LNG:
Why import natural gas into the U.S.?
The demand for natural gas in the U.S. has been increasing, but experts believe that natural gas production in the continental U.S. has reached its peak. Importing LNG is one way to help balance the natural gas supply and demand in the U.S. Safety:
How does LNG compare in terms of safety hazards to other substances handled in ports, land based facilities, on roadways and on railways?
LNG is not explosive, toxic, carcinogenic or chemically reactive, except for burning which is its value as a fuel source. The vapors are lighter than air. If a spill occurs, the vapor will rise and dissipate leaving no trace in the environment. The flame speed of an unconfined cloud is slow and it will not explode.
By contrast, gasoline and fuel oil are extremely flammable and, in their liquid state, are toxic. If these hydrocarbons are spilled the environmental impact is severe.
What is done to assure that LNG ships and land based facilities are designed and built for safety of operation and to protect the public?
Public safety and protection is enhanced by the following:
- Terminals are sited, designed and constructed in compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
- The design and construction of LNG vessels is approval by a "classification society" such as the American Bureau of Shipping.
- The U.S. Coast Guard conducts pre-arrival inspections of facilities and ships.
- Qualified third parties conduct safety and code compliance audits.
- All terminal personnel participate in initial and ongoing training programs.
- Terminals sponsor integrated emergency response programs, including local emergency resources.
top What safety features are there at the onshore facilities?
At the onshore facilities, safety features include methane detectors, Ultraviolet or Infrared (UV/IR) fire detectors, closed circuit TV, offsite monitoring, training requirements for personnel, and restricted access. Storage tanks are surrounded by dikes that will contain 110 percent of the maximum capacity of the tank.
What safety measures are in place on the unloading piers?
The unloading piers have emergency shut down systems, closed circuit TV, vapor detection and fire detection systems, and emergency release couplings on the unloading lines. The ships' crews are not allowed into the LNG terminal. What safety features are there onboard the ships?
The ships' safety systems are divided into ship handling and cargo handling systems. The ship handling includes sophisticated radar and positioning systems that alert the crew to other traffic and hazards around the ship. There are also distress systems and beacons that automatically send out signals if the ship is in difficulty. The cargo handling system has an extensive instrumentation package that safely shuts down the system if it starts to operate out of predetermined parameters. There are also gas and fire detection systems. What is the role of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) at the Elba Island Terminal?
Members of the USCG board all tankers for inspection before docking at the terminal. This procedure is repeated following unloading of the LNG and prior to the ship's departure. Who provides security at the terminals?
The owners of the facilities handle terminal security. Security measures include access by authorized personnel only, manning facilities 24 hours a day 365 days a year, fencing of the perimeter of the facility, motion detection on the fencing, closed circuit TV, lighting and operator inspections of the facility at regular intervals. top What security measures are currently in place at the Elba Island Terminal?
Southern LNG does not discuss security plans or procedures but works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to satisfy and adhere to all applicable regulations in regards to security. What is the safety record of LNG facilities in the U.S.?
Over 60 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the first U.S. LNG plant, a poorly designed tank with no containment system, failed allowing LNG to escape, vaporize and burn. At the time of the incident, the United States had no regulations and little experience. Current regulations and industry practice eliminate the design problems that resulted in the Cleveland accident.
What is the safety record of the Elba Island Terminal?
The Elba Island terminal has not had any fires or reportable leaks. Communication and More Information:
How can I learn more about LNG?
The FERC has published a pamphlet entitled “A Guide to LNG - What All Citizens Should Know ” which is available on FERC's web site at http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/citizen-guides/citz-guide-lng.pdf or by calling the FERC Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-3372.
When will the FERC complete its review and allow expansion of the terminal?
Southern LNG intends to apply for permission to construct and operate the terminal expansion in the 3rd quarter of 2006. The FERC review process will take approximately 9 to 12 months to complete. If approved, construction of the terminal would begin in summer 2007 and be complete in 2010.
top What if I want to contact the FERC directly?
You may call or write the FERC at the address below.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Office of External Affairs
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington , DC 20426
Toll free: 1-866-208-3372
www.ferc.gov
What are the important addresses and telephone numbers for the Elba III Terminal Project? Dan Tennison
P.O. Box 1367
Savannah , GA 31402
Telephone: (912)-231-8307
Fax: (912) 231-8310
Email: dan.tennison@elpaso.com
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