| If you're thinking of investing in oil-why | | | | means the equivalent of an extra 1.7 billion |
| not consider liquid natural gas (LNG)? | | | | barrels of oil per year! |
| | | | |
| Oil is running out. Oil prices are rising | | | | Up until recently, trapping natural gas, |
| fast. Extracting oil from other sources is | | | | converting it to LNG, and transporting it has |
| possible. But LNG is a growing cleaner source | | | | not been economic compared to oil extraction. |
| of energy that looks worth investing in right | | | | But the US government has looked, and is |
| now. Compared to oil, the world still | | | | backing LNG initiatives. Suddenly giant |
| possesses huge natural gas reserves . | | | | energy companies like Shell Oil, and |
| | | | ExxonMobil Corp are ready to invest $250 |
| The rising cost of oil is making natural gas | | | | billion into the future of LNG and lock in |
| sales much more appealing - in many oil | | | | trade deals with countries rich in cheap gas, |
| fields the gas is simply burnt off into the | | | | like Quatar where the largest natural gas |
| atmosphere as a waste product. That is 2.5 | | | | fields in the world lie. |
| TRILLION tons per year which could be | | | | |
| bringing in revenue and providing energy. | | | | Liquid natural gas is not environmentally |
| | | | popular in the West at present. There are |
| Developing countries like Nigeria and Bolivia | | | | worries about its environmental impact and |
| are becoming particularly aware of this. And | | | | capacity for explosion. However this is |
| they are forging links with big multinational | | | | likely to change fast. Supporters argue the |
| companies who can provide infrastructure | | | | fact a LNG spillage,(unlike an oil slick) |
| | | | simply dissipates into the air . |
| Already, natural gas use is climbing. Liquid | | | | |
| natural gas trade is growing much faster than | | | | The cold LNG is kept under much lower |
| oil trade. And so are natural gas prices, | | | | pressures than natural gas, so the problems |
| from two to three years ago. The changeover | | | | and dangers of high pressure pumping and |
| to greater natural gas use is just beginning! | | | | release are largely removed. Terminals can be |
| | | | built in remote areas away from population |
| Natural gas is clean burning and easily | | | | centers. |
| liquefied by cooling down to 1/600 of its | | | | |
| bulk as a gas, and then becomes easily | | | | The safety record of LNG transportation is |
| transportable as LNG via insulated pipeline | | | | much better than that of oil; insurance |
| or tanker. | | | | premiums won't inflate costs. |
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| Already, North Americas own gas is running | | | | Natural gas can also be used to power |
| out or too expensive. However it plans to buy | | | | electricity power plants. The U.S., Europe, |
| in from abroad. The U.S. is already on track | | | | China, and India are all desperate for more |
| to be the biggest LNG consumer in the world | | | | oil and electricity. Estimates say that by |
| by the end of 2010. | | | | 2025, we will have to use twice as much as we |
| | | | do now. Fuelling power plants with LNG will |
| According to some analysts, within five | | | | provide cheap electricity for years to come. |
| years, LNG imports to the United States could | | | | Does this suggest a good investment? |
| provide the country with as much as 16 | | | | |
| percent of its natural gas, up from just 3 | | | | Especially over the next 2 or 3 years as LNG |
| percent today. | | | | demand triples? |
| | | | |
| Once the really more efficient liquid natural | | | | Check out LNG now! |
| gas technology really comes online, that | | | | |