Facts
What is an LNG?
Liquefied natural gas or LNG is simply the liquid form of natural gas and is formed by cooling natural gas to minus-260 degrees Fahrenheit. LNG is clear, colorless, odorless and non-toxic.
LNG can be stored in larger quantities than natural gas because it takes up a tiny fraction of the space. Two LNG storage facilities have been in use for many years in Oregon at Portland and Newport, operating as part of the natural gas distribution network of pipelines.
LNG Safety
Specially designed and insulated ships—double-hulled ships—transport the ultra-cold LNG. These vessels are required to meet international maritime construction and operating standards and stringent Coast Guard regulation. Unlike oil, LNG will vaporize if spilled. Any natural gas vapors will be lighter than air and disperse into the atmosphere.
There are four existing LNG import terminals in the U.S.—three on the East Coast and one of the Gulf Coast. There is also an import terminal in Puerto Rico.
Unmatched Safety Record
For more than 40 years, every single ship carrying LNG has traveled safely, without loss of life or cargo, delivering its product to the destination.
As part of the FERC and U.S. Coast Guard review process, Jordan Cove has developed a Facility Security Plan and an Emergency Response Plan to ensure the safety and reliability of all terminal operations.
Natural Gas Demand
Natural gas demand in the Pacific Northwest is steadily increasing, in large part due to the environmental advantages of natural gas compared to other fossil fuels. Williams’ Northwest Pipeline supplies natural gas to markets in Washington and Oregon.
According to the United States Department of Energy, Washington relies heavily on natural gas produced in Canada. Residential usage leads Washington’s natural gas consumption. Approximately one-third of Washington households use natural gas as their source of home heating. This is followed closely by the industrial and electric power generation sectors. The ability to serve this growth with existing infrastructure is limited. According to the Northwest Gas Association, natural gas consumption in the region is expected to grow an average of 1percent per year, with a cumulative projected growth of 8.6 percent through 2018. Gas-fired electric generation drives most of that increase followed by growth in residential demand.
Natural Gas 101
- Natural gas is made up of hydrocarbon gases, primarily methane. It is usually found deep below the earth's surface, often with deposits of oil, and is removed by wells that are drilled to access the petroleum deposits.
- Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel.
- Natural gas is primarily transported in an underground system of large-diameter pipes.
- Over 200,000 miles of transmission pipelines deliver natural gas to more than 160 million North American consumers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Sources:
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=WA#related_reports
http://www.nwga.org/article.php?themeid=3&articleid=61
Pipeline Process
Commitment to Landowners
Pipeline Safety
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, natural gas pipelines are the safest mode of transportation today – surpassing highway, railroad, airborne or waterborne transport.
Interstate pipelines are regulated b the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety, which imposes a broad range of construction and operations standards. Williams has its own high standards for pipeline design, material specifications, construction, maintenance and testing.
Commitment to Safety
Construction Schematic
Aboveground Facilities
Commitment to the Environment
We are committed to protecting the public, the environment and our natural resources by constructing and operating in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner. We promote environmental stewardship by developing and operating a pipeline system that serves the interests of our customers, communities, environmental resources and employees while meeting the challenge of protecting the environments in which we work and live.
When building a pipeline, environmental resources along the pipeline route are carefully researched and evaluated. These resources include, but are not limited to:
- Soils
- Vegetation
- Wildlife
- Water quality
- Air quality
- Geologic features
- Wetlands
- Fisheries
- Noise
- Land use, recreation and aesthetics
- Archeology/Paleontology
- Socioeconomic impacts
Alternative routes and the possible cumulative effects of the activities associated with building a pipeline are taken into consideration during all stages of the pipeline project.
