The demand for LNG in the years to come will increase by huge steps. Existing uncertainties and fear of future developments need to be focused on. DNV and sponsors have initiated an independent assessment to increase clarity for risk-based decision-making.
Some studies predict that LNG will be one of the US’s most important sources of energy within 15 years. The magazine Fairplay concludes in an article within their February issue that the US need for gas is huge, and will create important activities for all the participants in the LNG train. “There is literally $100bn at stake, “they state.
The US Energy Information Administration predicts a doubling of the world’s natural gas consumption between the years 2000 and 2025, from about 90 to 180 tcf (trillion cubic feet) pr. year. The main resources are located far away from the main markets.
Qatar, Trinidad & Tobago and Algeria will be the leading suppliers of LNG to, for example, the US. 46 LNG projects have been announced in North America and the successful ones of these are expected to be carried out in the next 4-6 years. This will dramatically increase the need for new infrastructure and transportation modes.
Great interests
DNV recently announced that a LNG Accident Scenarios & Consequence Assessment Study has been kicked off, with great interest being shown by the LNG community. Only a couple of weeks ago, DNV began to invite sponsors to join the Joint Sponsor Project. This is intended to become the public benchmark for the LNG industry.
More than 15 companies (comprising major oil and gas companies and terminal operators in the US ) have so far committed to sponsor the project. “In order for it to become a benchmark for the industry, we are trying to get as many companies as possible to join. We are now hoping for over 20 sponsors,” explains the technical project manager Dr. Robin Pitblado.
Dr. Pitblado continues, “We have already seen a strong global interest in the study and are encouraging companies in Europe and Asia to become participants.”
Releases from ships and terminals
Some interest groups have expressed concern regarding possible consequences of LNG releases from ships and terminals. In response, DNV will carry out an independent assessment of the effects of a range of LNG releases.
The project will identify the consequence zones involved in credible release scenarios for LNG releases over water. The full results will be made available to the sponsors for use in public communication. DNV will also present a summary of the results of this assessment at the CCPS conference (Orlando, Florida) in late June.
Stephen Shaw, the DNV project sponsor, concludes: “DNV’s ambition is to emerge as a global leader in safety within the LNG community, and together with the sponsors, to put forward valid scientific facts to support future discussions and decisions.”