L

Lateral
	Synonym:
	Definition:   A pipeline segment of secondary importance to the 
                      mainline system.  Laterals cross-connect and reinforce 
                      the mainline system, or are added to tap secondary 
                      supply sources or sales markets.
Lean Gas
	Synonym:      Dry gas
	Definition:   Natural gas that contains little or no liquefiable 
                      hydrocarbons.
Limited Term Certificate
	Synonym:
	Definition:   A certificate of public convenience and necessity, 
                      issued by the FERC, for the sale of natural gas for 
                      resale in interstate commerce for a specified limited 
                      term.
Linepack
	Synonym:      Pipeline Fill
	Definition:   The quantity of gas in a pipeline or in a gas 
                      distribution system at any point in time.
Linepack Change
	Synonym:      Pack or Draft
	Definition:   Volume of gas determined by a pipeline or LDC to be the
                      difference between the linepack at the beginning of a 
                      period and the linepack at the end of such period.  
                      Positive changes are referred to as packing the line, 
                      negative changes are referred to as drafting the line.
Liquefied Natural Gas
	Synonym:      LNG
	Definition:   Natural gas which has been liquefied by reducing its 
                      temperature to minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit at 
                      atmospheric pressure.  It remains a liquid at -116 
                      degrees Fahrenheit and 673 psig.  In volume, it occupies
                      1/600 of that of the vapor.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
	Synonym:      LPG
	Definition:   A gas containing certain specific hydrocarbons which are
                      gaseous under normal atmospheric conditions, but can be
                      liquefied under moderate pressure at normal 
                      temperatures.  Propane and butane are the principal 
                      examples.
Load Balancing
	Synonym:
	Definition:   The balancing of gas supply to meet demand by using 
                      storage, other peak supply sources, curtailment of 
                      interruptible sales, or diversions from one delivery
                      point to another.
Load Factor
	Synonym:
	Definition:   The average load of a customer, a group of customers, or
                      an entire system, divided by the maximum load.  Can be 
                      calculated over any time period.  For example, assuming
                      3650 therms of gas usage over a year, the average daily
                      load is 3650/365 or 10 therms.  If the peak day load or
                      maximum demand was 20 therms, the load factor was 50%.
Local Distribution Company
	Synonym:      LDC, LDU
	Definition:   A utility engaged in the sale, transportation and 
                      distribution of natural gas for ultimate consumption 
                      rather than for resale.
Looping
	Synonym:
	Definition:   The construction of a second pipeline parallel to an 
                      existing pipeline, thus increasing the capacity of that
                      section of the system.