The process for the withdrawal of the natural gas from the deposits, its liquefaction for ship transport and the subsequent regasification for end use, makes up what is called the LNG chain.

The process starts in the exporting country, where the methane is brought to a liquid state by cooling it to -160°C at atmospheric pressure, and subsequently loaded onto methane tankers, high-tech ships which adhere to the highest international engineering, safety and environmental protection standards. During transportation via ship, the LNG is always maintained at -160°C and at a pressure near to atmospheric.

Once it has arrived at its destination, the LNG is unloaded in the import terminal, where it is reheated, taking it back to a gaseous state, and then introduced in the pipeline networks.