An LNG terminal is a facility at which liquefied natural gas is “regasified” (turned back into a gaseous state) after shipment by sea from the area of production.
LNG terminals have four main functions:
On arriving at the terminal, the LNG tanker (200-300 metres in length) is moored at the unloading dock, where articulated pipes (“arms”) are connected to transfer the LNG to the storage tanks. The LNG flows into pipes specially designed to withstand the embrittling effect of extremely low temperatures (below -160°C). This process is completed in under 12 hours.
Boil-off gas is returned to the ship to maintain pressure in the cargo tanks.
The LNG is stored in double-walled insulated tanks to limit boil-off. These tanks are able to withstand the temperatures of below -160°C needed to keep the gas condensed in a liquid state. The outer walls are made of pre-stressed reinforced concrete or steel.
Despite the high-quality insulation, a small amount of heat still penetrates the LNG tanks, causing minor evaporation. The resulting boil-off gas is captured and fed back into the LNG using compressor and recondensing systems. This recycling process prevents any natural gas escaping the terminal under normal operating conditions.
The LNG is subsequently extracted from the tanks, pressurised and regasified using heat exchangers.
The tanks are equipped with submerged pumps that transfer the LNG towards other high-pressure pumps. The compressed LNG (at around 80 times atmospheric pressure) is then turned back into a gaseous state in vaporizers.
Elengy terminals feature a range of technology, including:
Once returned to its gaseous state, the natural gas is treated in a number of ways, including metering and odorising, before it is fed into the transmission network.
How is LNG vaporised/regasified?
The LNG is simply warmed using the heat from sea water. This is done in a heat exchanger (with no contact between the gas and the sea water), producing only a slight drop in the temperature of the sea water, which reaches 6°C at the end of the discharge pipe, quickly becoming imperceptible once diluted.
Does natural gas have an odour?
Natural gas is odourless.Although non-toxic, it is inflammable and is therefore odorised to ensure even the slightest leak can be identified. This is done by injecting tetrahydrothiophene (THT)—an odorant detectable in very small doses—at the terminal before the natural gas is distributed.
© Mediacenter GDF SUEZ / Interlinks Image / Eric Larrayadieu, Laurent Monlau.
© Mediacenter GDF SUEZ / Gilles Crampes, Franck Dunouau, Philippe Dureuil, Pierre-François Grosjean,
Cédric Helsly
Natural gas is principally composed of methane (CH4) and is found in natural reserves. As a primary energy source, it offers many qualities, and is the cleanest fossil fuel.
It is appreciated for its high calorific value, ease of use, and environmentally-friendly composition.
Natural gas is odourless, but an artificial odorant is added to enable detection in the event of a leak.
When natural gas burns it does not emit dust, soot or smoke, producing only water vapour and carbon dioxide, much like human breath, which is then transformed back into oxygen by plants. It is the most energy-efficient of all fossil fuels on the market.
An explosion of natural gas can only occur if the following three factors occur simultaneously:
Every care is taken in at LNG terminals to prevent these three things occurring at the same time.
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Corresponds to aggregated Shipper send-out allocations in kWh 25°C at the interface between the LSO and the TSO.
This information is provided at 7h00 LT for the preceding gas day.
Amount of gas in kWh 25°C belonged by the shippers in the tanks of the LNG terminal at the beginning of the day.
Corresponds to aggregated Shipper send-out nominations in kWh 25°C at the interface between the LSO and the TSO.
This information is provided at 18h00 LT for the gas day ahead.
Corresponds to the available commercial capacity of the LNG terminal, i.e non subscribed capacity, expressed as the daily average of the month, in kWh/J at 25°C.
This information is updated daily.
Difference between Total Firm Capacity and the amount of booked capacity.
A technology that enables a single fuel source to produce both thermal energy (heat and/or cold) and electricity at the same time.
A power station that comprises a gas turbine generator whose exhaust powers a boiler. The steam from the boiler then drives a turbo-generator.
Operator’s obligations concerning the physical characteristics of the natural gas being delivered (pressure, temperature, etc).
Liquefied Natural Gas
Facilities providing reception, storage, and regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and transferring the natural gas (in its gaseous state) to the Main Network
Contract between the Operator and a Shipper, stating the reception, storage and regas conditions for LNG cargoes delivered by the Shipper to an LNG terminal.
High-pressure, large-diameter facilities linking connecting points with neighbouring networks, underground storage facilities and LNG terminals, to which are connected the regional transport networks and a number of industrial consumers and retail networks.
Responsible for operating an LNG terminal. The Operator delivers services under LNG Terminal Access Contracts signed with Shippers.
Share of the Total Firm Capacity that the terminal Operator has agreed on with a Shipper in a terminal access contract.
Corresponds to the total commercial capacity of the LNG terminal (including the already subscribed capacity), expressed as the daily average of the month, in kWh/J at 25°C.
This information is updated daily.
Terminal access capacity guaranteed under contract by the terminal Operator based on the terminal's technical characteristics, and the operating and integrity requirements of the facilities.
Contracts