Novatek receives Arctic LNG 2 module via NSR at Murmansk yard

Russia’s Novatek said module carrier Audax completed its voyage along the Northern Sea Route, delivering a module for its Arctic LNG 2 project in Murmansk from the Chinese port of Tianjin.

The Arc7 ice-class module carrier completed its journey along the NSR long after the traditional navigation season closure, to deliver a process module with a weight of almost 12,000 tonnes.

Novatek will install the module on the gravity-based structure (GBS) of the first Arctic LNG 2 train at its construction yard in Belokamenka in Murmansk.

This voyage was unique due to the size of the vessel that had to pass the entire NSR with nuclear icebreaker support during the challenging ice conditions of February, according to Novatek.

Atomflot icebreakers escorted the vessel along the NSR.

However, the icebreaker assistance was difficult largely due to navigation specifications during the winter of 2022.

Compared to previous years, the current NSR navigation season saw severer ice conditions, Novatek said.

Also, the summer-fall navigation period ended at the beginning of November 2021, much earlier than in previous years.

Due to the size of Audax, icebreaker assistance in the route’s most challenging sections in the Chukchi, East Siberian and Kara Seas involved two icebreakers widening the ice channel.

“The successful completion of the voyage testifies to the reliability of the company’s logistics model and the possibility of year-round LNG deliveries via the Northern Sea Route to the Asia Pacific region,” Novatek said.

Novatek receives Arctic LNG 2 module via NSR at Murmansk yard
Image: Novatek

First train to start production in 2023

This delivery follows a recent shipment of two Arctic LNG 2 modules from China to Novatek’s yard in Murmansk.

COSCO Shipping Heavy Transport’s semi-submersible vessel delivered the two modules as part of a deal with Technip Energies.

The latter is a part of a joint venture, which includes Saipem and Nipigas, and the main contractor of the Arctic LNG 2 project.

Tianjin-based Bomesc Offshore Engineering built the two giant modules including what it says is the heaviest Arctic LNG 2 module.

Overall, contractors’ shipyards will supply in total 14 modules for the first LNG train, Novatek previously said.

The Arctic LNG 2 project located on the Gydan peninsula includes the construction of three LNG trains with a capacity of 6.6 mtpa, each.

Novatek is the LNG project’s operator with a 60 percent stake, France’s TotalEnergies owns 10 percent while CNPC and CNOOC of China have 10 percent, each.

Japan Arctic LNG, a consortium of Mitsui & Co and Jogmec, owns a 10 percent stake in the project as well.

The partners plan to launch the first LNG train in 2023, with trains 2 and 3 to follow in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Most Popular

South Korea’s Posco says first LNG carrier to start ops in H2

Posco International, a unit of South Korean steel producer Posco, plans to start shipping LNG with its first dedicated LNG carrier in the second half of this year.

Atlantic LNG shipping rates continue to decrease

Atlantic LNG freight shipping rates continued to decrease this week, while European prices also dropped compared to last week.

Canada’s Cedar LNG names FLNG

Canada’s Cedar LNG, a joint venture of Canada’s Pembina Pipeline and the Haisla Nation, has picked a name for its floating LNG facility, which will be located in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation, on Canada’s West Coast.

More News Like This

Russian LNG production drops in April

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) production decreased in April compared to last year, according to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat.

Russian LNG production down in Q1

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) production decreased in the first quarter of this year, according to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat.

Novatek’s gas sales slightly up in Q1

Russian LNG exporter Novatek reported a slight increase in its natural gas sales, including LNG, in the first quarter of this year.

Russian LNG production down in January-February

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) production decreased in the first two months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat.