LNG Safety and Reliability
We make safety a priority. LNG is a safe and reliable way to transport energy. In LNG’s more than 50-year shipping history, LNG ships have traveled more than 150 million miles without a major incident.
Safe and Reliable Transportation
In LNG’s more than 50-year shipping history, LNG ships have traveled more than 150 million miles without a major incident. There have been no collisions, fires, explosions or hull failures resulting in a loss of containment for LNG ships in ports or at sea.
Facility Safety Systems
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 minimizes the risk of an accident.
LNG Storage Tanks
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 container with extremely efficient insulation between the walls. The container is encased inside a second container comprised of pre-stressed concrete.
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.
Government Oversight & Facility Standards
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.
3 Million Safe Hours
During construction of the Cameron LNG regasification facility, workers reached the enviable goal of 3 million construction hours worked without a lost-time accident – a milestone few projects ever reach.
“SAFE COMPANY” Certification
Energía Costa Azul received the “safe company” certification by Mexico’s State Labor Department in Baja California. In order to receive this distinction, a company must increase safety awareness in the workplace by complying with all Mexican Official Norms related to health and safety, and receive a high overall compliance grade.
Did You Know
The gas detection equipment is so sensitive it can detect leakage through a hole the size of a pinhead.
Did You Know
LNG is an odorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive liquid and, if spilled, LNG would not result in a slick. Absent an ignition source, LNG evaporates quickly and disperses, leaving no residue. There is no environmental cleanup needed for LNG spills on water or land.
Did You Know
The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for assuring the safety of marine operations in U.S. coastal waters.
Did You Know
The change to a liquid reduces the volume of natural gas by about 600 to 1, which means one LNG tanker can transport enough LNG to equal 600 tanker ships carrying natural gas.
Did You Know
In LNG’s more than 50-year shipping history, LNG ships have traveled more than 150 million miles without a major incident.
Did You Know
An LNG import terminal consists of the dock(s) for the ship to bring the LNG onshore, the LNG storage tank(s), vaporizers and other equipment to turn the LNG from a cold liquid back into natural gas.