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Natural Gas for the Northeast
The Northeast has one of the highest growths in demand
for consumption of natural gas in the U.S. Because of seasonal demand ups and downs, this part of the country experiences high price volatility and increasing supply challenges. It is also a long way from the Gulf of Mexico where most of the natural gas for this area originates. As demand grows, constraints on this long-distance pipeline system become a critical choke point.
Crown Landing is BP’s plan for bringing natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid (liquefied natural gas or LNG) and regasifying it so that homes, electricity plants and industry in the region have access to a reliable supply. Turning natural gas into its liquid form is the most efficient way of transporting it over long distances because its volume is reduced by a factor of 600. In this way, the energy can be transported from where it is found to where it is most needed. Once the LNG reaches the area, it needs to be slightly warmed to convert it back to a gas, and then transported by pipelines to consumers.
The receiving terminal will be located on a 175 acre site adjacent to the Delaware River in Logan Township, New Jersey. The LNG will be transported up the Delaware River to the terminal by specially designed ships that will safely handle the low temperature cargo. All this time the cargo is the same pressure as the outside atmosphere.
This site is particularly attractive because it provides deepwater shipping access as well as ready pipeline access. We also believe this project offers significant benefits to the community. Specifically, by locating a LNG terminal in southern NJ, this area will benefit from:
- increased energy security for the entire region through reliable access to cleaner burning natural gas,
- several hundred construction jobs and ultimately about 50 full-time jobs for the long-term operating life of the facility,
- payroll and property tax revenues to
the area for the 40+ years this facility
will be in service and
- clean energy growth which has the
potential to attract further investment
and growth.
Upon completion, Crown Landing will have a daily send-out capacity of 1.2 billion cubic feet (Bcf), enough natural gas to supply the daily needs of about five million homes. The terminal will be able to connect to three major natural gas pipeline systems serving the Northeast.
When built, Crown Landing will be the most modern facility of its type in the United States. Every aspect will be designed to stringent technical and safety standards – meeting or exceeding all current regulatory requirements. Additionally, intensive health, safety and environmental training is required for all staff associated with the operation.
As with all of BP’s operations, safety is the major priority.
In addition to the processing components, the terminal will have a number of sophisticated safety systems built to U.S. and international standards:
- Monitoring systems to detect leaks
- Automatic safety shutdown equipment
- Concrete encased, nickel steel alloy storage tanks
- Spill control systems
- Firewater supply
All these systems are designed into the pier and terminal as precautionary measures that have helped maintain the LNG industry’s worldwide exemplary safety record for the past 50 years.
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Crown Landing