The Physics
Natural gas at -162°C becomes liquid, with 85-95% methane plus ethane, propane, and nitrogen. The energy density enables transoceanic shipping.
Learn the science →Liquefied Natural Gas:
The Global Energy Bridge
A scientific, non-commercial encyclopedia of LNG technology, markets, and infrastructure
-162°C
Liquefaction Temperature
600:1
Volume Reduction
~520 MTPA
Global Capacity 2026
$3.50
Henry Hub (2026 avg)
What is Liquefied Natural Gas?
LNG is natural gas cooled to -162°C (-260°F), reducing its volume by 600 times for efficient long-distance transport. Composed primarily of methane (CH4), LNG enables global energy trade between continents, connecting gas-rich regions with energy-hungry markets.
The Infrastructure
From liquefaction trains to Q-Max carriers to regasification terminals, LNG requires specialized cryogenic engineering at every stage.
Explore technology →The Markets
The USA, Qatar, and Australia dominate exports. Asia drives demand. Henry Hub, JKM, and TTF shape pricing across interconnected global markets.
View market data →LNG by the Numbers
85-95%
Methane (CH4) composition
-260°F
Liquefaction temperature (-162°C)
0.42 g/cm³
LNG density (45% of water)
5-15%
Flammability range in air
11.9 Bcf/d
US LNG exports (2024, world's largest)
40%
Lower CO2 emissions vs. coal
LNG vs. Pipeline Gas vs. CNG
| Property | LNG (Liquefied) | Pipeline Gas | CNG (Compressed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | -162°C (-260°F) | Ambient | Ambient |
| Pressure | ~1 bar (atmospheric) | 50-100 bar | 200-250 bar |
| Volume Reduction | 600:1 | 1:1 | ~200:1 |
| Energy Density | 22.2 MJ/L | 0.034 MJ/L (at STP) | 9 MJ/L |
| Transport Method | Cryogenic tankers/trucks | Pipelines | High-pressure cylinders |
| Best Use Case | Intercontinental shipping | Regional distribution | Vehicle fuel, off-grid |
Key Insight: LNG's 600:1 volume reduction makes it economically viable for transoceanic trade where pipelines are impossible. A single Q-Max LNG carrier (266,000 m³) transports the energy equivalent of 159 million cubic meters of gas at standard conditions.
Global LNG Trade Flow
In 2026, the USA leads global LNG exports at 11.9 Bcf/d, followed by Australia and Qatar. Major import regions include Asia (Japan, South Korea, China, India) and Europe (replacing Russian pipeline gas).
Top Exporters
- United States — 11.9 Bcf/d (Sabine Pass, Cameron, Freeport, Golden Pass)
- Australia — 10.5 Bcf/d (Gorgon, QCLNG, GLNG)
- Qatar — 10.4 Bcf/d (Ras Laffan, North Field expansion ongoing)
- Russia — 4.4 Bcf/d (Yamal LNG, Sakhalin-2)
- Malaysia — 3.7 Bcf/d (MLNG Tiga, MLNG Dua)
Top Importers
- China — Post-Zero COVID demand surge
- Japan — Largest historical importer
- South Korea — Heavy industry reliance
- India — Growing consumption
- European Union — Energy security post-Russia
Dive Deeper
Liquefaction Process
Pre-treatment, C3MR cycles, and heat exchangers: The engineering behind cooling natural gas to -162°C.
12 min readLNG Carriers
Q-Max, Q-Flex, and conventional tankers. Understanding Moss spherical tanks vs. membrane containment systems.
8 min readPricing Mechanisms
Henry Hub vs. JKM vs. TTF. Oil-indexed contracts, spot markets, and the shift to gas-on-gas competition.
10 min readSafety & Environment
Flammability limits, dispersion modeling, and the carbon footprint debate: Is LNG a "clean" fossil fuel?
9 min readIndustry Glossary
From "BOG" (Boil-Off Gas) to "Train" (liquefaction unit), decode the language of the LNG industry.
ReferenceFuture of LNG
Bio-LNG, synthetic methane, hydrogen blending, and CCS: The path to net-zero in a gas-dependent world.
11 min read