The LNG industry has a long and excellent
record, due to strict industrial safety standards applied worldwide.
Until now there have been over 80,000 LNG carrier voyages, covering
more than 100 million miles, without a significant accident or
problem, either in port or on the high seas.
LNG regasification terminals have been
operating in populated areas for over 40 years without a serious
public incident.
LNG has an excellent record in all aspects of liquification,
shipping, storage and regasification. This is due to both the
high technical standards that are used in construction and operation,
and the physical properties of LNG which are inherently less
hazardous than LPG.
Because the LNG is a cold liquid created through the refrigeration
process, it is not stored under pressure.
LNG is a clear, non-corrosive, non-toxic, cryogenic liquid
at normal atmospheric pressure. LNG cannot ignite and explosions
are unlikely to occur within LNG facilities.
For LNG to burn, it must be released, vaporise, mixed with
air in the narrow flammable range of between 5% to 15% gas in
air, and be exposed.
If LNG leaks it begins to evaporate into a vapour (methane) which
is lighter than air and will be dispersed by the wind, making ignition
unlikely.
