LNG

May 1 (LNGJ) - Australian company LNG Ltd. with plans to build new North American LNG export plants has had a US patent awarded for its liquefaction technology. The company said the US patent applies to its process technology called Optimized Single Mixed Refrigerant (OSMR).  "We are very pleased that the company's primary invention is protected in the US and Canada to support the projects in those countries," said LNG Ltd. Managing Director Maurice Brand. "Patent protection in the US and Canada, and in other important jurisdictions, allows the company to develop other international opportunities," he added. The Australians will use the process in the Magnolia LNG project in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the Bear Head venture in Richmond County, Nova Scotia, Canada, each of which will produce 8 million tonnes per annum of LNG.