History of LNG (Liquefied natural gas)

Natural gas was first liquefied (cooling natural gas to form Liquid Natural Gas) in the 19th century by Michael Faraday and Karl Von Linde.

However, the industry as it is known today did not start until 1961 when Britain signed a 15-year contract to take just under 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) from Algeria.

The first liquefaction plant in the world was commissioned at Arzew in Algeria and the gas to supply this contract came from the huge gas reserves found in the Sahara.

Imports of gas to the UK stopped in the early 1970’s when the North Sea started production of natural gas.