LNG is primarily methane, but in most cases also contains ethane, propane and heavier components. Until recently, potential buyers of LNG had some flexibility in the ranges of natural gas properties they were able to accept. In many cases, the LNG buyer exported electric power and not natural gas, and therefore did not have to meet the needs of natural gas consumers.

But now, new markets are opening up where pipelines to consumers already exist, and the consumers have specifications which lie outside the range of the LNG produced at many locations. The challenge is to understand the requirements of the potential new markets and plan ways to meet the requirements of both the LNG importers and exporters.

To that end, it is useful to review the natural gas specifications of current consumers and those expected in the near future, such as North America and others. These specifications are compared to those of LNG being produced, and the options and problems for conditioning the natural gas on either end of the LNG trade are explored in detail.