As part of the energy transition process, France and several countries are hosting numerous environmental projects. Among these projects, we can mention: offshore wind turbines using hydrogen, NGV or nuclear energy. Today, LNG and bio-LNG are at the heart of new projects worldwide and trigger the investment race for companies.

LNG and bio-LNG, the gas of the future 

Today, LNG is the most sustainable solution for significantly reducing emissions of particulate matter. The first advantage of LNG is that it emits virtually no polluting particles into the atmosphere or the sea and reduces greenhouse gases by 80%.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has already set a target to be reached by 2050 :  thirty years to halve greenhouse gas emissions from the entire French fleet, from motorboats to cruise ships.

Moreover, LNG is the only clean fuel available today. Distribution is handled by the gas supplier Total, which has the largest supply vessel in the world.

Bio-LNG is produced from the methanization of biomass or waste. Methanization is a natural process of biological degradation of organic matter in an oxygen-free environment. It is a renewable gas with properties chemically identical to methane. It can be used to supply plants not connected to natural gas, or as a fuel. It benefits from the environmental advantages of natural gas and LNG compared to fossil fuels (diesel).

Bio-LNG fuel, physically distributed in liquid form in stations outside the natural gas network, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 88% compared to road diesel.

In 2030, this sector, which is currently under construction, will make it possible to avoid up to 2.3 million tons of CO2 emissions per year compared to road diesel.

LNG FACILE: a European development program for the LNG industry

The overall objective of the LNG FACILE project is to achieve a gradual reduction in the use of the most polluting fuels and dependence on oil, which is one of the main priorities of European transport policy.

Directive 2014/94/EU (DAFI Directive), in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 1315/2013 reforming the TEN-T, indicates the need to install refueling points, at sea or on land, fixed or mobile, for LNG refueling in seaports.

Ports must therefore plan for the construction of a genuine LNG supply chain by 2025, which will ensure the continuity of refueling for ships, vehicles and port equipment, and the environmental and economic sustainability of the solutions adopted. The total budget for the project is €2,345,655, financed by the IT-FR Maritime cross-border program and 85% covered by the ERDF.

– The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille in the LNG FACILE project

France will host this project for the first time in the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille. Led by EveRé, Elengy (operator of the Fos-sur-Mer LNG terminals), TotalEnergies and the CMA CGM group (a world leader in shipping and logistics), this project will produce alternative fuel from household waste in the Marseille metropolitan area.

Thanks to the dual fuel gas technology developed by CMA CGM, bio-NLG will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including CO2) by at least 67% compared to low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). By the end of 2024, 44 CMA CGM Group vessels will be powered by LNG.

ENERGIE SAGUENAY: LNG at the heart of international projects

Since 2014, GNL Québec has been developing the Énergie Saguenay project, an industrial natural gas liquefaction complex in the Port of Saguenay.

The project aims to support efforts to fight climate change in Europe, Asia and elsewhere in the world, by offering a transitional energy that will replace other more polluting energies (coal and fuel oil), thereby reducing global emissions by 28 million tons of GHGs per year.

The project has an estimated investment of $9 billion and aims to be operational in 2026.

LNG, an alternative to Russian dependence for Germany

Following the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Germany announced on March 6 that it wants to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies. To this end, the country unveiled plans to build two LNG import terminals in Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven and to increase its natural gas reserves.

The amount of the investments has not been communicated, but according to estimates, the construction of the first terminal should cost around 450 million euros.

This energy sector is very promising. Both in terms of innovation and investment, there are many players who can take part and prosper. If you also want to be part of this sector of activity and benefit from advice, contact us.