Energy, Gas, Legislation, Lithuania, Security

On Thursday, during the Government's hour at the Seimas, Member of Parliament Antanas Matulas was interested whether the security of LNG terminal is sufficient in the time of peace as well as in case of an armed conflict.

"One should not think that liquefied gas is a very dangerous fuel. Compared with petroleum or some other products that are loaded in the port of Klaipeda it is rather safe as it is cooled. Even if a projectile or a rocket hit the ship it would not blow up," Minister of Energy Rokas Masiulis reassured.

According to the minister, only a mixture of 9-15% of liquefied natural gas vapour and air is flammable. However, in case of an incident it rises upwards instantly.

"Because it is almost 100% methane, it instantly rises upwards. If you search in newspapers, you will find no major incidents with LNG across the globe because due to physical characteristics it does not descend but rises and only its upper layer burns. That is why there is very little risk with LNG," Masiulis said.

The energy minister assured that every necessary precaution has been taken both when the carrier is sailing in open sea and in the Lithuanian port. Its arrival has been coordinated with the military and once the ship docks it will be guarded by 50 officers from the Public Security Service under the Ministry of the Interior.