Climate activists call the liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers carrying fracked US gas a major setback, as it creates ten times more emissions than piped gas. Some climate researchers say the rapid expansion of LNG can compromise climate targets and reject claims that the LNG infrastructure is suitable for green hydrogen. 

Compared to other gases LNG is worse for the climate because the energy needed to cool, ship, and re-gasify the fossil fuel makes it more carbon-intense. This increases the potential for methane leakage. Additionally, locking this fossil fuel through long-term infrastructure projects will make it impossible to limit global warming to 1.5º C

To get an in-depth understanding of the risk associated with LNG, we need to learn what LNG is, and how it is liquefied and transported. 

What is Liquefied Natural Gas?  

Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG is a natural gas reduced to a liquid state through intense cooling (around -161ºC). This process reduces it to 1/600th of its original liquefied volume. This compressed fossil fuel is made almost wholly of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that can be exported by ship. The cargo is re-gasified in a floating terminal and redistributed through pipelines after reaching its destination

In Germany, the cost of building floating LNG terminals has doubled due to the high operating and infrastructure costs. According to Andy Gheorghiu, a German-based consultant, and campaigner on climate & energy policy, “Between 10-25% of the energy of the gas is lost during the liquefaction process.”

How is LNG transported?

Since LNG flows easily through pipelines it is a preferred method of transporting natural gas. The infrastructure of the pipeline is built to carry LNG between liquefaction and storage facilities to tankers and finally, re-gasification facilities. Since LNG is denser than compressed natural gas (CNG) it can carry higher amounts of gas for transport. However, these pipelines are expensive and difficult to construct.  

One of the main vessels is referred to as an LNG tanker that carries natural gas while in its liquid form. This tanker carries large quantities of LNG between import and export terminals.  

3 ways LNG is impacting the environment

LNG infrastructure locks the fossil fuel economy

LNG infrastructures lock the fossil fuel economy because the LNG export terminals last for over 20 years. This means those facilities will constantly produce pollution and release harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc. Moreover, the LNG export facilities have a higher risk of explosion like the June 2022 explosion at Freeport LNG.

According to EPA’s EJScreen (Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental Justice Screening), the majority of terminals under construction are in communities that have higher air toxic cancer risks. 

LNG is a fossil fuel 

Given the urgency to reduce global warming to below 2℃, using LNG will not help us reach that goal fast enough. There is no concrete evidence showing how LNG exports reduce coal usage globally. The production of LNG facilities being built near coal facilities is only adding to the number of fossil fuels being consumed. According to Pembina Institute, the LNG infrastructure may disturb the adoption of renewable energy in Asia. 

LNG emits as much greenhouse gas as coal

A recent study from the Office of Science & Technology Information (OSTI) shows that LNG and coal have similar emissions, and sometimes LNG emits more than coal. This is because of the huge amounts of methane leaked into the atmosphere while making and transporting LNG. Methane leaks are more harmful and potent than carbon dioxide. During fracking, large amounts of methane is released and since this is under-reported, the complete negative impact is unknown. 

Final words 

Natural gas in any form has an impact on the environment. As mentioned in the blog, the process of extraction, storage, and transportation of LNG causes it to emit methane. 14% of the LNG climate footprint comes from gas leaks, intentional venting, or flaring during production or transportation. Due to all of this, LNG is twice as responsible for greenhouse gas emissions as other natural gases. 
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