The first shipment of LNG has left a new majority Novatek-owned LNG port and plant in Russia.
170,000 cubic metres of LNG sold to Petronas LNG UK Limited left the Yamal Peninsular-located Port of Sabetta, part of the Yamal LNG project, on the new Arc7 ice-class tanker Christophe de Margerie in a loading ceremony attended by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
According to the chairman of Novatek’s management board, Leonid Mikhelson: “NOVATEK officially enters the global gas markets by shipping the first tanker loaded with LNG from our flagship Yamal LNG project.
“This event begins the process of developing and liquefying our massive natural gas resources on the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas into more than 70 million tons of LNG. This potential gives our country an opportunity to become one of the biggest global LNG exporters.”
16.5m tonnes capacity
The approximately US$27bn Yamal LNG plant has an annual capacity of 16.5m tonnes based on the feedstock resources of the South-Tambeyskoye field. It will serve European and Asian markets.
Incorporating three production trains of 5.5 mmt annual capacity each, the plant saw production on the first train commence this month.
The shipping infrastructure includes a jetty with two tanker loading berths at the Port of Sabetta equipped with ice protection barriers.
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering built the Christophe de Margerie and is expected to build up to another 15 tankers as part of its contract with Yamal LNG.
Novatek has a 50.1% share in the project, while Total and China’s CNPC both have 20% stakes and the China-based Silk Road Fund holds the remaining 9.9%.
LNG sales according to the long-term contracts will commence in April 2018. All LNG sales prior to that date will be sold by Yamal LNG shareholders on a spot basis.
