ASTORIA (AP) — Liquefied natural gas companies are building even bigger tankers to meet import needs, and experts say they likely will be the industry standard when terminals open for business — if they ever are federally approved.

They say the larger sizes will bring a slight increase in risk.

A study by the Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico quantified the increased fire hazards associated with the new ships, some of which carry twice as much LNG as the ships currently in use.

There are proposals to build three terminals in Oregon, including Jordan Cove Energy Partners’ proposal for Coos Bay, along with one near Warrenton and one 20 miles up the Columbia River at Bradwood Landing.

The current fleet of LNG carriers ranges from capacities of 125,000 to 145,000 cubic meters of liquefied gas.

Because the bigger ships carry more LNG in each tank, the lab reported, a tank breach would result in more natural gas spilling out at a faster rate. However there has never been such a breach in 40 years of LNG transport.

The Sandia report concludes the hazard zone would increase by about 7 percent to 8 percent, less than 100 yards, to 1,400 meters.

The worst risk to people within the thermal hazard zone would be second-degree burns which occur on bare skin after 30 seconds of exposure.

Russ Berg of the U.S. Coast Guard’s inspection division said the increase in risk is relatively minor. But he said required depth of water, pier length and maneuvering characteristics also come into play.

The Coast Guard’s suitability report for Bradwood Landing — the furthest along in the permit process — was based on the smaller tanker sizes. The larger ones jump from a maximum length of 928 feet to 1,131 feet, and would be about 40 feet wider.

Berg said the larger ships would require a new suitability report or an amended assessment.

The largest ship that can deliver to Bradwood under the rules outlined in the report is one that carries 148,000 cubic meters of LNG.

NorthernStar, which would operate Bradwood, says it is building the facility for ships with capacities of from 100,000 and 200,000 cubic meters.

Joe Desmond, vice president of external relations for NorthernStar, said it is premature to estimate what size ships will actually use the terminal.

Oregon LNG in Warrenton is still working with the Coast Guard on its suitability assessment.

Oregon LNG CEO Hansen visited Korean shipyards in Korea where the largest carriers are being built and concluded his site is well-suited for them.

He said they will be more fuel-efficient.