The current status of LNG facility standards and regulations

With the large number of proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in the United States (and worldwide), many new technical personnel are becoming involved in applying and interpreting LNG standards and regulations. Also, opponents of the new LNG developments are questioning whether existing safety and security requirements are adequate. In this paper, we will begin with an overview of existing standards and regulations pertinent to LNG facilities (for both onshore and offshore applications). That discussion will include documents from the National Fire Protection Association, the European Committee for Standardization, the Department of Transportation, and the United States Coast Guard. For offshore facilities, it will discuss the guidelines from some of the international classification societies. This paper will outline what is addressed (and what is not addressed) by these standards and will then focus on and discuss the issues with those requirements and the changes that are currently under consideration by the standards organizations and federal regulators. This paper finishes with some specific recommendations for consideration by LNG facility developers. (c) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process.