New Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility Proposal in Oxnard, California

When natural gas is cooled down to a very cold minus 260 degrees Farenheit, it becomes a liquid called Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG. The gas is actually imported from several countries throughout the world and brought to the United States in a reinforced two hulled ship with a special cold chamber to keep the gas liquid. The ships can be a thousand feet long and are capable of traveling across the seas.

Most of the LNG comes from countries like Australia, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and several others. Throughout the world, there are only 40 terminals that are designed to accept LNG and there is a proposal to create a port off the coast of southern California in Oxnard in Ventura County, about 30 miles from Los Angeles. This port would be located a few miles off the coast. The United States already has some terminals in other states, but with energy at a premium, another terminal is believed to be necessary.

Once the LNG tankers dock at the terminal, the LNG is transferred into special tanks that keep the temperature cold enough so it will remain liquid. Pressure in the tanks has to be released when the vapor builds up, otherwise it could explode since the vapor is flammable when mixed with air in a percentage range of 5 to 15 percent. The vapor is collected and used as natural gas. When the LNG in the tanks is needed, it is warmed up and turned back into a gaseous state, then piped to where ever it's needed. Since natural gas is a clean burning fuel, it's preferred over more polluting fuels like gasoline, coal or oil.