Gas Utilization Topical Conference Keynote

The past decade has seen rapid developments in multiple areas of the global natural gas value chain at a time of increasing concern for the environment. The low price of gas has benefited multiple industries including power generation and chemicals manufacturing, such as hydrogen production, as well as the transportation sector. Natural gas has significant environmental benefits over other fossil fuels, in particular coal. These benefits continue to drive the global demand for natural gas, and the development of new technologies. China’s Blue Sky Initiative was responsible for the largest increment in global demand for LNG in the last few years.

Among the drivers for new technologies is the tightening of environmental regulations, such as the IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 regulations on sulfur content in marine fuels, which are typically heavy fuel oils. LNG represents an attractive replacement fuel and this law has generated a significant order book for LNG fueled new build ships, multi-role ships, and the development of specialized infrastructure for LNG bunkering. The demand for natural gas, both CNG and LNG, is also growing as a transportation fuel for trains and truck fleets to reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and particulate emissions. Conversion of natural gas to hydrogen will also likely play a role in the transition to a decarbonized future.

Growth in the use of natural gas also presents complex environmental challenges and opportunities - societal, regulatory, and technological. Natural gas is a fossil fuel as well as a potent Green House Gas. This has resulted in increased attention to flaring, venting, and fugitive emissions throughout the entire natural gas value chain followed by strides to develop innovative monitoring techniques. This presentation will review the developments in the value chain and discuss its current and future regulatory challenges.