Quoddy Bay plans new vaporization process -- The Quoddy Tides, Eastport, Maine

Quoddy Bay LNG has announced a new development in its proposed two billion cubic-feet-per-day liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to be located at Split Rock, Pleasant Point. Quoddy Bay's lead engineering company, Black & Veatch, a global engineering, consulting and construction company, has developed a new patent-pending vaporization technology for the facility that will reduce the pollution causing air emissions by approximately 75%.

"This technology will result in the Quoddy Bay facility being the most advanced and environmentally friendly onshore LNG import facility in the world," said Donald M. Smith, president of Quoddy Bay LNG. "We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of Black & Veatch because, as the energy industry changes, there is an increasing need to protect the environment and develop green technologies. That is why Quoddy Bay took the extra time to incorporate this new technology during development so that we can be leaders in an ever-expanding industry."

The advance in technology is in the manner in which the LNG is vaporized before sending into natural gas pipelines. According to Black & Veatch, the new technology will reduce emissions at the facility, including CO and NOX, using fired heater with ultra low NOX burners in conjunction with condensing waste heat recovery units to reheat the super-cooled LNG back to a gas so that it can be sent into pipelines.

At two billion cubic feet per day, Quoddy Bay is proposing the facility due to the growing demand for natural gas and the benefits of economies of scale. "The project will enjoy even greater benefits with four times the vaporization capacity of several smaller .5 bcf facilities that are proposed around North America, but yet we have no greater emissions into the air," said Brian Smith, project manager for Quoddy Bay LNG.

The east coast of the United States has three facilities in operation, but there are many more proposed especially in New England. Most facilities are about one-fourth to one-third the size of the Quoddy Bay facility in terms of natural gas send-out capacity. This new technology could conceivably allow one large facility like Quoddy Bay LNG's to be built in the place of three to four smaller ones and yet have the air emissions impact of only one, Smith maintains.

Quoddy Bay LNG submitted its FERC application in December of 2006 and will be filing for its state and other major permits the second week of June.