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Why can the liquefaction and transport of natural gas use up a large share of its original energy?
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natural gas
The Troll A natural gas production platform in the North Sea, 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Bergen, Norway. Troll A, the largest movable structure ever built, rests on the seafloor some 300 metres (990 feet) below the surface and rises more than 100 metres (330 feet) above the sea. The platform regulates the recovery of gas from 40 wells located on the seafloor.
The liquefaction and transport of natural gas consume a significant portion of its original energy—potentially approaching 25 percent—due to the intensive processing required to convert the gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and maintain it during transit.1
To liquefy natural gas, it must be cooled to approximately −160 °C (−260 °F). This process involves:1
- Energy-Intensive Cooling: Modern plants use autorefrigerated cascade cycles, which require a series of compression and expansion steps to reach the necessary cryogenic temperatures.1
- Operational Power: The significant power required for this compression is typically supplied by consuming a portion of the natural gas itself.1
- Processing Requirements: Before cooling, the gas must be stripped of impurities like carbon dioxide and dried to ensure efficient liquefaction.1
Once liquefied, the gas must be stored in specialized, insulated tankers to prevent it from reverting to a gaseous state. The cumulative energy cost of these steps—liquefaction, transport, and eventual regasification—results in a substantial reduction of the total energy content available for the end user.1