Assistant Secretary Chris Smith discusses the LNG Handbook at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (FE) Chris Smith today took part in a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) panel discussion on Understanding Natural Gas & LNG Options, a handbook for developing natural gas projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
The handbook – part of Power Africa’s “understanding” series – was developed by FE and the Energy Department’s Office of International Affairs, with assistance from the U.S. Energy Association and funding from USAID/Power Africa. It covers the broad range of issues and considerations that go into the development and financing of natural gas and LNG projects. It also explores domestic market development and discusses LNG import and export projects versus country-to-country pipelines for intra-Africa gas sales.
With discoveries of enormous gas fields in Africa – both on and offshore – development of that resource provides great opportunities for Africa’s sustainable growth. It can be utilized in a number of ways, including as fuel for power plants that will increase the availability of electric power, as a feedstock for petrochemicals, as a tool to increase oil production, as a regional source of supply for neighbors via pipelines, and as exportable LNG for revenue to support economic growth.
There isn’t a one-size fits-all approach that will address every challenge or meet every opportunity. Each African country – like countries everywhere – faces their own unique issues and circumstances. But there are lessons from what we’ve done in the U.S. – as well as from the experiences of other countries and their international commercial partners – that may prove valuable to African countries. Understanding Natural Gas & LNG Options incorporates those lessons for capacity building and represents a useful reference resource for African governments as they consider African LNG projects.
Click here for more information on the LNG handbook.