Sophisticated alarms and multiple back-up safety systems, which include emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, are core components of our LNG facilities. ESD systems can identify problems and shut down operations, limiting the amount of LNG that could be released. These systems are linked to automatic 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 the LNG facility. LNG terminal safety systems combined with special operating procedures, training, and equipment maintenance minimize the risk of an accident.

The storage tanks at Energía Costa Azul and Cameron LNG were constructed according to the U.S. and Mexican regulatory requirements. The structures were constructed using a full-containment, engineering design that provides two levels of safety protection. Within the full-containment storage tank, LNG is housed in a climate-controlled container with extremely efficient insulation between the walls that is analogous to a thermos bottle (see blue area in illustration). The climate controlled container is encased inside a second container comprised of pre-stressed concrete (see green area).

The full-containment tanks have double walls— an inner wall of 9 percent nickel steel surrounded by a wall of concrete, three feet thick. Should the inner steel wall fail, the outer concrete tanks would contain the LNG.

Industry and government standards set specifications for, among other things, concrete and steel used in construction, valves, pumps, tanks, compressors, refrigeration piping, tank insulation, firefighting equipment and protection against seismic activity. A review of standards applied to recent LNG projects identifies nearly 30 related to fire safety alone.

We take pride in building our facilities not only to meet safety requirements, but in some cases even exceed them.