"Is LNG better than coal?" "What's the difference between LNG and pipeline gas?" "Why not just use CNG?" These are among the most common questions in energy debate, and the answers are rarely a simple yes or no — they depend on what you measure, where, and over what timescale. This section collects careful, like-for-like comparisons that spell out the assumptions behind each conclusion.
Available comparisons
LNG vs. Coal
Lifecycle CO₂, local air quality, water use, and economics — and why upstream methane leakage decides the size of LNG's climate advantage.
9 min readLNG vs. Pipeline Gas
Same molecule, very different economics. When liquefaction beats a pipeline, the distance break-even, and the energy and emissions cost of the LNG chain.
8 min readLNG vs. CNG
Cryogenic liquid versus compressed gas: energy density, range, and why each suits different vehicles and infrastructure.
8 min readLNG vs. Oil
Different end-uses, energy density, the history of oil-indexed LNG pricing, and the emissions gap between gas and oil products.
8 min readLNG vs. Hydrogen
Energy density, liquefaction temperatures, grey/blue/green hydrogen, infrastructure maturity, and how the two fuels really relate.
8 min readLNG vs. Renewables
Firm dispatchable gas versus variable solar and wind, the "bridge fuel" debate, and why grids increasingly use both.
8 min readQuick reference: the same gas in different forms
Before comparing LNG to other fuels, it helps to understand how natural gas itself changes depending on how it is stored and moved:
| Property | LNG (Liquefied) | Pipeline Gas | CNG (Compressed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Liquid, -162°C | Gas, ambient | Gas, ambient temp |
| Pressure | ~1 bar (atmospheric) | 50-100 bar | 200-250 bar |
| Volume reduction | 600:1 | 1:1 | ~200:1 |
| Energy density | ~22.2 MJ/L | ~0.034 MJ/L (STP) | ~9 MJ/L |
| Best use case | Intercontinental shipping | Regional distribution | Vehicle fuel, off-grid |
Key point: LNG, pipeline gas, and CNG are the same product — predominantly methane. What differs is the physics of storage and transport, and therefore the economics of moving the energy from where it is produced to where it is burned.
How we approach comparisons
- State the boundary. Combustion-only, well-to-power, or full lifecycle? The headline number changes dramatically depending on where you draw the line.
- Name the timescale. Methane's warming effect looks very different over 20 years versus 100 years, which matters whenever gas is compared to other fuels on climate grounds.
- Be explicit about assumptions. Methane leakage rate, plant efficiency, and regional fuel prices are the variables that most often flip a conclusion.
- Separate global from local. A fuel can be better for global CO₂ yet worse — or better — for the air quality of people living next to the plant.