Last reviewed on October 31, 2026.
LNG capacity is quoted in million tonnes per annum (MTPA), cargoes in cubic metres of liquid, gas flows in Bcf/d and prices in $/MMBtu. These rules of thumb link them. They vary with composition, because leaner LNG has less energy per tonne.
| Unit | Approximate equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 tonne LNG | 52 MMBtu |
| 1 tonne LNG | about 48–50 Mcf of gas |
| 1 tonne LNG | about 1,360–1,400 m³ of gas |
| 1 tonne LNG | about 2.2 m³ of liquid LNG |
| 1 MTPA | 0.13–0.14 Bcf/d of gas |
| 1 MTPA | about 1.36–1.4 Bcm per year |
| 1 Bcf/d | about 7.3 MTPA |
| 1 m³ of LNG | about 600 m³ of gas |
Example conversions
| Question | Answer (approximate) |
|---|---|
| How much gas is a 15 MTPA terminal? | 2.0 Bcf/d |
| What is 18 Bcf/d of LNG exports in MTPA? | about 131 MTPA |
| How many MMBtu in a 174,000 m³ cargo? | about 3.9 million MMBtu |
| What is 51 million MMBtu in tonnes? | about 0.98 million tonnes |
| What is 4 Bcf of gas in tonnes of LNG? | about 80,000–83,000 tonnes |
Converting $/tonne to $/MMBtu
Divide the price per tonne by the MMBtu per tonne: $780/tonne ÷ 52 = $15.00/MMBtu. In reverse, multiply by 52. Use the actual energy content on a contract, because cargoes vary.
How much is a cargo worth?
A standard 174,000 m³ carrier delivers about 3.7–3.9 million MMBtu after boil-off. At $15/MMBtu that is roughly $55–60 million of gas; at $25/MMBtu it is over $90 million.
For any other figure, use the quantity and flow converter, which handles MTPA, Bcf/d and Bcm/year.
Frequently asked questions
How many Bcf/d is 1 MTPA of LNG?
About 0.13 to 0.14 Bcf/d, depending on composition.
How many MMBtu are in a tonne of LNG?
About 52 MMBtu.
How much does LNG shrink when liquefied?
About 600 times by volume.