The Difference Between Domestic Gas and LNG: Storage and Global Transport Explained

We often hear about liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import deals, but what does that actually mean? And does it differ from the natural gas delivered to our homes? Dr. Medhat Youssef, former vice president of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, provides a comprehensive explanation.

What's the Real Difference?

LNG is essentially the same natural gas used in homes, factories, and power plants — but it's converted into a liquid form to make storage and long-distance sea transport easier. The key difference lies purely in the physical state, not the chemical composition.

The liquefaction process starts by purifying natural gas from impurities and associated components, then gradually cooling it down to approximately minus 162 degrees Celsius — the temperature at which gas transforms into liquid. Its volume then shrinks by nearly 600 times compared to its gaseous state, enabling the shipment of massive quantities.

Storage and Shipping Stages

This entire process takes place inside advanced liquefaction plants that rely on high-efficiency cooling and compression systems. The LNG is then stored in specially designed tanks built to withstand extremely low temperatures, before being loaded onto massive carriers destined for global markets.

Egypt operates two LNG liquefaction plants — one in Damietta and the other in Idku, Beheira governorate — both regarded as critical infrastructure supporting the country's position as a regional hub for energy trade. LNG has become one of the world's most vital energy sources, enabling easy transport between countries without shared pipelines, making it an essential component in meeting global energy demand.