Regasification

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Regasification is turning LNG, stored at minus 162 degrees Celsius, back into natural gas at normal temperatures. LNG can be regasified on land or on floating barges called Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs). Because FSRUs can be towed to different offshore locations, they offer flexibility to meet changing market needs.

In a typical regasification plant, LNG is warmed using seawater until it becomes methane gas that can be sent into the natural gas pipeline system. The very cold LNG also carries energy that can be used for other purposes. For example, the cold energy can be used to produce liquid oxygen and nitrogen from air, which can help nearby steel mills or fertilizer plants and make the plant more economical.

Using LNG’s cold energy instead of large refrigeration equipment can reduce costs in natural gas processing. The regasified gas is mixed with imported LNG and then delivered into the usual natural gas distribution network for consumers. Some systems also use LNG cold energy to improve the efficiency of power generation by cooling turbine exhaust.

If natural gas is plentiful and LNG can be used directly in road, rail, and other vehicles without regasification, demand for LNG regasification plants may be lower.