Gas Gone Global: LNG 101

The document describes the LNG supply chain from extraction to re-gasification, noting that the United States has become the world's leading LNG exporter following the shale gas boom. It highlights that LNG is prone to methane leakage and high energy intensity due to the cryogenic freezing and heating processes, with emissions intensity increasing as transport distances grow. The text warns that expanding US LNG exports could increase domestic natural gas prices by 25 to 30 percent by 2050, while suggesting that monitoring, prohibiting venting, and enhancing transparency can mitigate methane emissions.

• The United States has transitioned from having essentially no LNG exports in 2016 to becoming the world's top LNG exporter, surpassing countries such as Russia and Qatar, driven by the shale gas boom involving horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
• LNG production and transport are highly energy-intensive and prone to methane leaks; a leakage rate as low as 0.2 percent in the gas supply chain can result in net greenhouse gas emissions comparable to those of coal.
• There is a strong correlation between the distance LNG travels and its emissions intensity. For example, the estimated boil-off of CO2 equivalent per ton of LNG cargo is approximately 0.1 tons for shipments from the US to Europe, but doubles to 0.2 tons for shipments to Asia.
• Increased US LNG exports may raise domestic energy costs, with a US Department of Energy study indicating that a tripling of exports by 2050 could increase Henry Hub natural gas prices by 25 to 30 percent.

APA

RMI (2026). Gas Gone Global: LNG 101. https://rmi.org/resources/gas-gone-global-lng-101/

Chicago

RMI. Gas Gone Global: LNG 101. 2026. https://rmi.org/resources/gas-gone-global-lng-101/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Gas Gone Global: LNG 101 |date=12 January 2026 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/gas-gone-global-lng-101/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2026gas, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Gas Gone Global: LNG 101}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2026}, month = jan, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/gas-gone-global-lng-101/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }