Point-Supply LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Business  

The point-supply LNG business is a flexible and efficient natural gas supply model that directly delivers liquefied natural gas to specific users or regions via tank trucks. It is suitable for scenarios where natural gas pipelines are uncovered or economically unviable. The following introduces its business model, core advantages, application scenarios, development status, and future trends:  

I. Business Model and Technical Features  

Business Model  

Point-supply LNG relies on modular skid-mounted equipment, including LNG storage tanks, vaporizers, pressure regulating and metering devices, etc., to achieve "point-to-point" supply via tank truck transportation. It is divided into four types based on user gas consumption:  

Dewar bottle groups (single bottle: 100-200L)  

Jieyishun skid-mounted stations (storage tanks: 10.0-19.6m³)  

Container skid-mounted stations (storage tanks: 30m³)  

Fixed stations (single tank: 60-250m³)  

Technical Features  

Low-Temperature Atmospheric Storage: LNG is stored at -162°C, with a density 600 times that of gaseous natural gas, offering high storage efficiency and better safety than CNG and LPG.  

Rapid Deployment: High modularity of equipment enables short construction cycles (typically 1-3 months), quickly meeting user gas demand.  

Flexible Pricing: Prices are influenced by international crude oil market fluctuations but still offer cost advantages over pipeline gas, especially in pipeline-uncovered areas where high connection fees can be saved.  

II. Core Advantages  

Economic Efficiency  

In areas without pipeline gas, the comprehensive cost of point-supply LNG is significantly lower than coal or fuel oil. For example, a 10-ton steam boiler using LNG point-supply requires an investment of approximately 600,000-900,000 yuan, with a payback period of 6-10 months and annual fuel cost savings of about 1.1 million yuan. Additionally, LNG prices are linked to international oil prices, making them more competitive during low-oil-price cycles.  

Environmental Safety  

LNG combustion produces no sulfides or particulate matter, aligning with national "dual carbon" goals. It has a high ignition point (approximately 650°C), and leaks rapidly volatilize and disperse, offering better explosion resistance than other fuels.  

Strong Adaptability  

Suitable for rural areas, industrial parks, transportation hubs, and other scenarios with high pipeline coverage costs, it can serve as a supplement or temporary alternative to pipeline gas.  

III. Application Scenarios and Market Distribution  

Industrial Sector  

Provides production gas for small and medium-sized factories and industrial parks, replacing coal-fired boilers. For example, in "coal-to-gas" projects in Shandong, Jiangsu, and other provinces, LNG point-supply has become the preferred choice due to low investment and quick results.  

Commercial and Civil Use  

Promotes "gasification of rural areas" in rural and urban-rural fringe areas, meeting residents' cooking and heating needs through Dewar bottle groups or small skid-mounted stations. Some towns around Beijing have adopted point-supply models for natural gas access.  

Transportation Sector  

Supplies fuel for LNG heavy trucks and ships, with some ports using "ship-to-ship" bunkering technology to improve efficiency.  

Emergency Supply  

Restores gas supply quickly via temporary skid-mounted stations during pipeline outages. For instance, during pipeline maintenance in Peng'an County, Sichuan, 300,000 cubic meters of LNG was deployed to ensure gas supply for 120,000 users.  

IV. Development Status and Policy Environment  

Market Scale  

Driven by the "coal-to-gas" policy, China's LNG point-supply market grew at an annual rate of over 30% from 2014 to 2020, with Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu becoming key regions. Although global LNG export growth slowed in 2024, China's imports still increased by 8.5%, continuing to unleash market potential.  

Policy Support  

The state encourages the promotion of LNG point-supply in pipeline-uncovered areas, with the *Opinions on Accelerating Natural Gas Utilization* explicitly supporting users' independent gas source choices. Provinces like Shandong and Hubei have introduced special policies to regulate point-supply projects, while Guangdong and Beijing have strengthened supervision through franchise systems.  

V. Future Trends  

Technological Upgrades  

Applications of intelligent control and 5G IoT technologies will enhance operational efficiency. For example, the Shanghai LNG terminal expansion project uses digital monitoring systems to achieve precise control of construction safety and quality.  

Regional Differentiation  

Point-supply businesses in pipeline-covered areas will gradually integrate, while remote areas and industrial parks will remain growth drivers. It is expected that global LNG supply will increase by 2025, but prices may continue to rise due to demand expansion, affecting domestic cost structures.  

Policy Optimization  

China will promote market-oriented reform of natural gas prices, gradually linking them to international oil prices, while strengthening safety supervision to guide the industry's standardized development.