Safety

LNG has been delivered across the world's oceans for more than 45 years without major accidents or safety problems, either in port or on the high seas. In that time, there have been more than 40,000 LNG carrier trips, covering more than 100 million miles. Today, ocean tankers safely transport more than 100 million metric tons of LNG annually to ports around the owrld. This is more than all American homes consume each year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2000, one LNG cargo ship entered Tokyo Bay every 20 hours, and one entered Boston harbor every week. Japan relies exclusively on imported LNG for its natural gas.

Over the life of the LNG industry, a few marine incidents worldwide have been reported. These incidents produced only minor hull damage and did not result in any LNG spillage overboard. Some additional marine-related LNG spill incidents have occurred during LNG transfer operation with no serious consequences reported. No LNG-related explosions or fatalities have ever occurred on LNG marine vessels in the history of the industry.

LNG ships vary in size from 20,000 cubic meters to over 145,000 cubic meters cargo capacity but the majority of modern vessels are between 125,000 cubic meters and 140,000 cubic meters capacity (58,000 to 65,000 tons). A typical modern LNG ship has a length of about 975 feet (300 m), width of about 140 feet (43 m), draft of about 39 feet (12 m) and is capable of sailing at speeds of up to 21 knots. A new LNG ship will cost about $170 million. Many shippers are planning 200 to 250,000 cubic meter vessels for new import terminals.

At Sempra Energy, the safety of our employees and people in the communities we serve is a top priority. Our LNG projects will be designed to meet the highest industry safety standards and to comply with government regulations.