PGC D - LNG
Introduction and Purpose
The LNG industry has gone through a phenomenal growth and several evolutions in the last 10 years. From a regional business which was primarily focused in the Pacific basin, it is now a global business. The global financial and economic crises, have presented new challenges to the business but this industry is a resilient one, having survived these types of global events. The existing LNG/Gas glut is temporary according experts in the industry and gas use will continue to increase over the coming years. The role of LNG as a source of supply will strengthen in the wake of the growing gas demand, irrespective of the nuclear power supply concerns raised after the Japanese natural disaster and heavy coal lobby activities, as the cleanest fossil fuel.
PGCD’s role is to monitor and promote the development of the LNG business. The committee suggests studying topics of current importance and interest to the LNG industry participants and observers from other segments of the natural gas industry. The output of the committee studies will provide for a clear understanding of the global LNG industry and the challenges ahead.
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CHAIR
Dirk Van Slooten
IGU The Netherlands Tel: + 31 6 30 63 16 77 |
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VICE-CHAIR Masanori Oki Tel: + 81-6-6205-4562 |
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SECRETARY Feikje Wittermans Vopak LNG Tel: + 31 10 400 2078 |
Study Groups
Study Group PGC.D1- Remote LNG
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Lead – Jean-Yves Capelle [TOTAL]
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Objective:
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To provide an overview at the end of the Triennium of potential issues and recommendations to develop LNG projects in arctic conditions and remote (low cost) locations to be presented by the study group in a report. Topics to be covered:
- LNG projects in higher latitudes which will be developed in Russia, Norway, Greenland or offshore in arctic conditions will definitively increase in the coming years. These projects will have to be approached in a lot of different manners than “past” projects in term of design, construction and operations due to harsh, remote and difficult environment.
- Also in more remote areas where the traditional pipeline gas supplies are not or cannot be developed for economic reasons different approaches, such as LNG by truck or barge, could bring gas to such remote locations, regions or countries.
Study Group PGC.D 2 – LNG as Fuel
- Lead – Richard Lammons [Chevron]
- Objective:
- To provide a two-fold report at the end of the Triennium on land transport fuel opportunities, bunkering opportunities, as an answer to the worldwide pressure on reducing the use of fossil fuel for propulsion and reduce the CO2 emissions and other air pollution (NOx and SOx) by using oil based (standard) fuels. Topics to be addressed are:
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Alternative fuels for trucks and public transport to avoid further pollution of the air in densely populated areas. Several cities have put stringent targets for 2020 on their contribution to the environment. Switching to LNG as the “cleanest” fossil fuel seems a logic choice.
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Also Shipping bunkers are perceived to be one of the most environment unfriendly fuels. Ship owners could, for price and environmental reasons, become very interested in LNG as alternative fuel. In some part of specific Europe (Baltic, North Sea) legislation will be implemented to reduce the “NOx” and “SOx” emission from standard transport modes, such as ferries, tugs and port vessels.
Study Group PGC.D 3 – Small Scale LNG
- Lead – Wouter Meiring [Shell]
- Objective:
- Provide an overview of potential regions/countries of interest as well as tailor made technical requirements/ solutions for small scale LNG projects. These small scale terminals will mainly supply regional users such as local industry, power generation or a city and will be located in remote areas and not easily be accessible by large LNG carriers. Also the quantity of LNG required per terminal/offloading point will be limited in the range of 2000 to 10000 tons. Neither infrastructure nor transportation modes are very well equipped to handle such small streams. A solution with breaking bulk in a larger receiving terminal (hub), into smaller shipping sizes and receiving terminals (satellites) are required to penetrate these markets with LNG (creation of mini – hubs for local LNG distribution) as well as smaller liquefaction units (for some areas).
Study Group PGC.D 4 – LNG Life Cycle Analysis
- Lead – Ted Williams [American Gas Association]
- Objective:
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A LNG Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) report initiating a detailed LNG life cycle analysis to:
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Make an overall assessment of environmental impacts "well to wheel" of the LNG chain, and map the impact
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Identify the main lines for potential improvements that could be made
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Provide reliable data for comparison of LNG to other types of fuel for transportation use.
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Such a study, shared by the profession could be a valuable contribution for any study including LNG in any LCA. If published by IGU, the results will have a worldwide impact and will be a reference for a long time.
- The life cycle analysis is a tool formalized through two international standards (ISO 14040 & 14044) and recognized by governments, NGOs and more generally by the consumer, aiming at quantifying the potential impacts of a "product" (whether it is a property, a service or even a process), from the extraction of the raw materials that compose it, to its elimination at the end of its life, through stages of distribution and use, or as to say "from cradle to grave".
Study Group PGC.D5 - World LNG Report (Annual Editions)
- Lead –Philippe Corbiere, [Total]
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Content of the report:
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This annual report aims to ensure the most up to date information on LNG facilities and carriers and will be the next versions of the report delivered in 2012 (Petronas).