Hydrogen and carbon capture to decarbonise LNG

The Energy Transition to Net Zero by 2050 will continue to rely on fossil fuels for some time. LNG has lower emissions than other hydrocarbons and will be part of the energy mix up to 2050 and beyond. Key to this role is decarbonisation of the LNG value chain and exploiting synergies with other low carbon technologies whether Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) or hydrogen. Bio-LNG whilst chemically identical to LNG is a low emission fuel which will make a growing contribution to overall LNG production. Emissions within the LNG value chain are driven by energy intensive liquefaction-primarily the power consumption of the refrigeration compressors but also wider facility power demand-shipping and heat input during regasification. The first steps on the path to decarbonisation will be the low hanging fruit of efficiency gains and electrification but deeper decarbonisation will require the incorporation of low carbon technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture. Hydrogen can be blended into fuel gas to decarbonise compressor gas turbine drivers, power generators and regasification vaporisers. Carbon capture can be applied directly to gas turbines within the facilities or LNG facilities can act as hubs for the liquefaction, transportation and storage of CO2 emitted from nearby industry. For bio-LNG, negative emissions are possible if the CO2 removed from the feed biogas and/or from bio-LNG combustion is captured. As the energy transition progresses co-location of hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure with LNG liquefaction or regasification facilities can improve energy efficiency and reduce cost. These possibilities are starting to be considered within the industry.