Context: The EU is weaning itself off piped Russian gas by rapidly expanding imports of liquified natural gas, much of it fracked in the US.
About Liquified Natural Gas:
Natural gas is a fossil energy source that formed deep beneath the earth’s surface. Natural gas contains different compounds.
The largest component of natural gas is methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about -260° Fahrenheit (161 degrees Celsius), for shipping and storage.
The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state. This process makes it possible to transport natural gas to places where pipelines do not reach.
Significance of LNG:
Energy efficient: Natural gas produces more energy than any of the fossil fuels in terms of calorific value.
Cleaner fuel: Natural gas is a superior fuel as compared with coal and other liquid fuels; being an environment-friendly, safer and cheaper fuel.
Emission commitments: India made a commitment to COP-21 Paris Convention in December 2015 that by 2030, it would reduce carbon emission by 33%-35% of 2005 levels.
Diverse applications: Natural gas can be used as domestic kitchen fuel, fuel for the transport sector as well as a fuel for fertilizer industries and commercial units.
