Liquid Natural Gas Infrastructure Risks

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses safety and risk posed by liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. It specifically focuses on the safety of these facilities in that they are highly visible and make easy targets for terrorist attacks. The paper also discusses the safety standards and technology associated with LNG, particularly following a catastrophic event in 1944 in Cleveland. It describes the environmental effects of a disaster, as well as symptoms of exposure in an LNG accident. The paper concludes with a long-term risk assessment of the future of LNG.

Table of Contents:
The Infrastructure
Risks Associated with Spills
Cold Hazards
Pool Fires
Vapor Clouds
"A Cleaner Alternative"
By-Products of Combustion
Symptoms of Exposure in an LNG Accident
A Matter of Scale and Scope
Long Term Environmental Impact
Disaster Planning and Modeling
Evacuation
Contamination Control
Improving LNG Accident Response
How Real is the Risk?
Potential Scenario from an LNG Explosion in Boston Harbor
The Future of LNG Risk Assessment

From the Paper:

"Up until this point, only one real world scenario of an LNG accident existed and it was long ago before recent developments in technology and safety protocol. Other assessments, such as those made by FERC and industry professionals are largely theoretical. They leave too many variables to chance. To accurately assess the real dangers of LNG, there is a critical need for credible, scenario based research. This is the next phase in the research cycle concerning the safety of LNG. If we are to remove the issue from the political battleground, we need more research-based evidence. In the case of LNG, valid research can be difficult due to the nature of the material."

Sample of Sources Used:

• AGL (2005). AGL Natural Gas. Material Safety Data Sheet. Retrieved April 19, 2007 from http://www.agl.com.au/NR/rdonlyres/m2qubyo6275iaiihxp3gmyybhnnie3dndwr4v72lzvz uowjkeoa6xqpcyob7g62vgbc7z4q3pfiie6vdeiuzwe56yf/ChemWatch_MSDS_65706.pdf.
• Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc. (BakerRisk) (2007). Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Loss Prevention Engineering. Retrieved April 15, 2007 from http://www.bakerrisk.com/Applied-Engineering-Services/Risk-Analysis/LNG-Loss- Prevention.
• Energy Justice. (2007). Natural Gas Health and Environmental Hazards. Retrieved April 15, 2007 from http://www.energyjustice.net/naturalgas/.
• Fay, J. (2003). Spills and Fires from LNG and Oil Tankers in Boston Harbor. Retrieved April 15, 2007 from http://www.wildcalifornia.org/cgi- files/0/pdfs/1076793808_Humboldt_Bay_LNG_Boston_Spills_Fay.pdf
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). (2007). Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Retrieved April 15, 2007 from http://www.ferc.gov/industries/lng.asp#skipnavsub

More papers on Liquid Natural Gas Infrastructure Risks:

• Research Paper # 52178 : "Sweetening Natural Gas"
• Research Paper # 114673 : "Importing Liquefied Natural Gas"
• Research Paper # 112250 : "Managing Natural Resources: Natural Gas"

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