As I understand the industry, one really doesn't "store" LNG for very long. Rather, one regassifies the LNG back into regular natural gas, after which it can be piped into salt domes or other geological spaces for long term storage.
Liquefying natural gas basically involves chilling it to below -260°F where there's a state change from vap…
As I understand the industry, one really doesn't "store" LNG for very long. Rather, one regassifies the LNG back into regular natural gas, after which it can be piped into salt domes or other geological spaces for long term storage.
Liquefying natural gas basically involves chilling it to below -260°F where there's a state change from vapor to liquid. Keeping LNG in a liquid state would require maintaining either the temperature or the pressure (the temperature would be the easier and less dangerous of the two options). Liquefaction is a transport modality; it does not present as a storage modality at all.
Exactly, that’s Australia’s problem, we extract it, process it, compress it and ship it. We’ve got no where to put it like the US salt domes. We’re pretty much set up as JIT supplier. We don’t even bring it onshore in some cases, it’s processed and compressed offshore straight into the transport vessel then shipped direct to the customer. That’s the problem for Australian producers, unless we cut back production we’ve got to sell it pretty much at any price. Most of the contracts are long term supply agreements, not sure if they’re take or pay. But when your biggest customer says stockpile it and you’ve got no “warehouse” and it’s not easy to slow down production you’ve got a problem. The capital cost of these projects is staggering and they rely on massive throughput to be profitable. Remember when the spot price of oil went negative? Similar problem.
Pretty sure they would. Not sure if it’s cost/effective feasible. If the price is right I’m sure they will. Your article has me intrigued, it’s been a long time since I thought about anything to do with LNG. I used to work for a company that supplied specialized instruments to the oil and gas industry and used to be all over this stuff. If your interested check out this Wiki link if you want know what I’m talking about regarding how it’s done. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_production_storage_and_offloading
Just did some reading up on it. Turns out China’s lower demand for LNG is actually good news for Australian LNG exporters, bad news for East Coast consumers and businesses that basically pay “World Parity Prices” for natural gas. Lower Chinese demand at low contract prices has freed up gas that is getting a higher price on the spot market. Even though we’re not selling much into Europe we are selling more into Asia at a higher price because the US is diverting gas to Europe which is normally destined for Asia.
Thanks for an interesting article and discussion. Haven’t looked at the LNG market for more than 20 years. Fascinating to see how much has changed and how much has pretty stayed the same.
As I understand the industry, one really doesn't "store" LNG for very long. Rather, one regassifies the LNG back into regular natural gas, after which it can be piped into salt domes or other geological spaces for long term storage.
Liquefying natural gas basically involves chilling it to below -260°F where there's a state change from vapor to liquid. Keeping LNG in a liquid state would require maintaining either the temperature or the pressure (the temperature would be the easier and less dangerous of the two options). Liquefaction is a transport modality; it does not present as a storage modality at all.
Exactly, that’s Australia’s problem, we extract it, process it, compress it and ship it. We’ve got no where to put it like the US salt domes. We’re pretty much set up as JIT supplier. We don’t even bring it onshore in some cases, it’s processed and compressed offshore straight into the transport vessel then shipped direct to the customer. That’s the problem for Australian producers, unless we cut back production we’ve got to sell it pretty much at any price. Most of the contracts are long term supply agreements, not sure if they’re take or pay. But when your biggest customer says stockpile it and you’ve got no “warehouse” and it’s not easy to slow down production you’ve got a problem. The capital cost of these projects is staggering and they rely on massive throughput to be profitable. Remember when the spot price of oil went negative? Similar problem.
I do remember. And you're right: Australian NatGas is not likely to sell much to China under present circumstances.
Although I suspect Europe might be willing to take a tanker or two of LNG off Australia's hands! (Just a hunch!)
Pretty sure they would. Not sure if it’s cost/effective feasible. If the price is right I’m sure they will. Your article has me intrigued, it’s been a long time since I thought about anything to do with LNG. I used to work for a company that supplied specialized instruments to the oil and gas industry and used to be all over this stuff. If your interested check out this Wiki link if you want know what I’m talking about regarding how it’s done. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_production_storage_and_offloading
Price must be right:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62570900.amp
Pretty much in line with what we’ve been discussing.
The world is a much less surprising place when you pay close attention to the facts!
Just did some reading up on it. Turns out China’s lower demand for LNG is actually good news for Australian LNG exporters, bad news for East Coast consumers and businesses that basically pay “World Parity Prices” for natural gas. Lower Chinese demand at low contract prices has freed up gas that is getting a higher price on the spot market. Even though we’re not selling much into Europe we are selling more into Asia at a higher price because the US is diverting gas to Europe which is normally destined for Asia.
Fascinating. Good info to have...tells me to pay even closer attention to energy commodities.
Thanks for an interesting article and discussion. Haven’t looked at the LNG market for more than 20 years. Fascinating to see how much has changed and how much has pretty stayed the same.
If I'm encouraging folks to take a closer look at the world around them then I'm accomplishing my greatest ambition for this Substack.
Thanks!