KazMunayGas Does the First Export of Liquefied Natural Gas from Europe to China in ISO tanks from the Gate LNG Terminal in Rotterdam, Netherlands 29.11.2017

KazMunayGas carried out the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export ever done in Iso Tank from Gate LNG terminal in Rotterdam Netherlands to China on the 29th of November 2017. The LNG arrived in China after 32 days and it was used by small scale powerplants. After the LNG was discharged, the ISO tanks were returned to Europe for reloading of LNG. The operation was a success story and the Chinese State Oil Company Sinochem was pleased with the result of the second pioneer project with KazMunayGas.

The use of Virtual Pipeline technology to deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG is a relatively new concept with only a handful of industry players offering this service to off-pipeline customers.

To be cost competitive versus other energy options such as fuel oil, coal, biomass, or electricity, the virtual pipeline providers are reliant on continuous improvements in multiple technologies and business strategies that include:

The ability to identify the most strategically located sites to build compression stations that can access the massive quantities of natural gas necessary to service prime markets. This may include identifying gas in transmission pipelines already at high pressure, as the cost of compressing the gas to 3600PSI (to as high as 5000PSI) for storage in isotanks is one of the most significant costs incurred.

The ability to develop a delivery strategy that minimizes the number of necessary isotanks and trucks while ensuring on time deliveries to all customers being serviced from a compression station.

Employing Isotank designs that use novel material compositions and configurations to minimize the weight of the empty Isotank, while maximizing the pressure the gas can be compressed to inside the isotanks, maintaining stringent safety requirements.

The ability to fast fill Isotank (balancing speed and temperature changes in the gas), can take around 1.5 hours.