[KOGAS Press release/ December 29, 2025] The Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) announced on the 29th that it has successfully localized and verified an ultra-low temperature liquefied natural gas (LNG) pump, a core facility used at natural gas production bases, marking the first such achievement in Korea.

The ultra-low temperature LNG pump was selected in 2020 as a government-led national localization project. Hyundai Heavy Industries Turbomachinery Co., Ltd. (HHI-TMC) spent three years developing ship-use prototypes to secure foundational technology. However, commercialization was delayed due to challenges in conducting on-site demonstrations.

Until now, localization efforts for natural gas components and facilities have largely focused on quantitative expansion, such as developing smaller, less complex technologies or diversifying procurement sources. Amid growing global supply chain instability, the need has increased for qualitative growth and strengthened capabilities through self-reliance in core natural gas technologies.

In response, KOGAS signed an agreement with HHI-TMC in April last year to support the localization of ultra-low temperature pumps for land-based LNG terminals. The project was carried out under the K-testbed program, a government-led platform that opens public infrastructure to support research and development, on-site demonstrations, and market entry for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. KOGAS has participated in the program for four consecutive years since 2021.

The newly developed ultra-low temperature LNG pump is particularly significant as major components were designed and manufactured entirely with domestic technology, involving organizations such as the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute and Hanil HIGHECH.

KOGAS completed a successful demonstration by providing a site commissioning environment at the Pyeongtaek LNG Terminal for approximately seven months, from May to November this year. During this period, KOGAS jointly conducted monitoring and reliability evaluations with the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials and the Korean Register.

KOGAS said the development and demonstration of the ultra-low temperature LNG pump are expected to help secure domestic supply chains for high value-added core equipment, boost sales opportunities for competitive small and medium-sized enterprises, and support entry into the global market.

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