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What is LNG?
LNG is liquefied natural gas, a clear, colourless, non-toxic liquid that forms when natural gas is cooled to around -160ºC. This shrinks the volume of the gas 600 times, making it easier to store and transport to markets around the world.
Natural gas is a major source of energy, but many towns and cities that need the energy are located far from the gas fields. Transporting gas by pipeline can be costly and impractical. We create LNG by cooling the gas to a liquid at around -160ºC, which we can then ship out, safely and efficiently.
LNG is a clear, colourless, non-toxic liquid that can be transported and stored more easily than natural gas because it occupies up to 600 times less space.
When LNG reaches its destination, it is returned to a gas at regasification facilities. It is then piped to homes, businesses and industries.
Shell helped pioneer the LNG sector, providing the technology for the world's first commercial liquefaction plant at Arzew, Algeria, in 1964. Since then, we have continued to improve the technology behind LNG.
