US trade groups create LNG coalition

Dec. 22, 2003
Four Washington, DC-based energy trade groups announced last week the formation of a new coalition that will act as a public LNG information clearinghouse.

Four Washington, DC-based energy trade groups announced last week the formation of a new coalition that will act as a public LNG information clearinghouse. The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas also will serve as an advocate for industry interests in the US LNG import market, group officials said.

The center also will work with state and federal officials on updating regulations, a process that could take about 5 years, center officials estimate.

"The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas will serve as a one-stop information source, distribute technical research and best practices, and be an advocate, as appropriate, for a broad array of interests involved in LNG issues," according to the group's new web site, www.LNGfacts.org.

The coalition will include committees on policy, technology, and education. Some issues, such as gas quality and market pricing, will not be part of the coalition's focus because of commercial and antitrust considerations. Conversely, security and safety are expected to be a key part of the group's agenda because of the impact those two issues have on all LNG market players.

Coalition members currently include the American Petroleum Institute, the Natural Gas Supply Association, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, and the American Gas Association. Other organizations may also join the coalition in the future, said API President Red Cavaney.

Organizations with similar interests, including the International LNG Alliance (ILNGA), a group sponsored by the US Energy Association, will work with coalition members on items of mutual interest, Cavaney said.

"The idea is not to duplicate what others are doing," Cavaney said. "It's to leverage what we have. It is highly collaborative."

ILNGA describes itself as "a broad-based strategic alliance of LNG interests that will work together to promote and advance the safe, reliable, cost effective, and environmentally sound use of LNG and development of LNG infrastructure."