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LNG Future
AN EXEMPLARY SAFETY RECORD
LNG terminals have an exemplary safety record. Their safety is a product of advanced technology, well-trained professionals, a thorough understanding of LNG risks, robust safety systems and procedures, and rigidly adhered-to standards, codes and regulations. In the past 30 years, no death or serious accident involving an LNG terminal has occurred in the United States.
During the industry's infancy, a serious accident occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, at an LNG storage facility. A storage tank was constructed during World War II, when nickel was scarce. The steel used in storage tanks today must contain enough nickel to provide the appropriate properties to withstand the cold cryogenic conditions of LNG. The steel used in this early storage tank did not contain enough nickel, resulting in a crack and spill. In addition, the dike around the tank was not large enough to contain the amount of LNG in the tank, unlike the embankments used today.
That incident triggered major changes in LNG regulations, and the Cleveland facility would not meet today’s safety standards. Such an accident could not happen under today's strict federal safety regulations.
Modern tanks, which use 9% nickel-steel, have never had a crack failure in their 30-year history. And should there ever be a leak, all tanks are surrounded by embankments large enough to contain the entire contents of the tank.
Beyond this dual containment system required by federal regulations, many modern tanks have two walls – an inner wall of high nickel steel surrounded by a wall of concrete, generally three feet thick. Should the inner steel wall fail, the outer concrete tanks will contain the LNG.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations require safety zones around LNG facilities. Setback distances must be great enough so that flammable vapors will not reach the facilities' property lines and heat radiation from a potential fire will not impact those beyond the facilities' property line. Sophisticated safety systems add an additional layer of protection.
SOPHISTICATED SAFETY SYSTEMS
Sophisticated alarms and multiple back-up safety systems, which include emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, are core components of LNG facilities. ESD systems can identify problems and shut down operations, limiting the amount of LNG that could be released. They are normally linked to automated gas, liquid and fire detection equipment. There are also detectors for monitoring LNG levels and vapor pressures within storage tanks and closed-circuit television equipment for monitoring all critical locations of LNG facilities.
Facility safety systems combined with special operating procedures, training and equipment maintenance minimize the risk of an accident.
STRICT GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND FACILITY STANDARDS
FERC is responsible for approvals regarding siting, operation and expansion of LNG facilities on land, as well as offshore facilities in state waters. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Maritime Administration (MARAD) have jurisdiction for siting and operation of LNG facilities in federal waters.
Industry and government standards set specifications for, among other things, concrete and steel used in construction, for valves, pumps, tanks, compressors, refrigeration piping, tank insulation, fire fighting equipment, and for protection against seismic activity. A review of standards applied to recent LNG projects identifies nearly 30 related to fire safety standards alone.
Learn more about
FERC's review process for onshore LNG facilities.
Learn more about MARAD's review process for LNG facilities in federal waters.
FERC has incorporated at least 22 industry standards into its regulations. The sources include the American Concrete Institute, the American Gas Association, the American National Standards Institute, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Gas Research Institute, the International Conference of Building Officials and the National Fire Protection Association.