Russia’s Novatek upgrades its Arctic liquefaction tech

Russia’s LNG exporter Novatek has upgraded its Arctic liquefaction tech which it uses at the fourth Yamal LNG train.

According to a statement by Novatek issued on Thursday, the firm obtained a Russian patent for the technology called “Arctic Cascade Modified” (ACM).

“Stemming from operational lessons learned, improvements to the technology enable LNG production with a leaner equipment list and better energy efficiency,” Novatek said.

Also, Novatek said the underlying process design is compatible with domestically manufactured equipment.

Novatek added it intends to use the ACM liquefaction process for the company’s large-scale LNG projects in the Arctic with a production capacity of 3 mmtpa per LNG train.

Yamal LNG’s fourth train with a capacity of around 900 thousand tons per year, which features the “Arctic Cascade” technology, started pilot LNG production in December 2020. Novatek launched the train in May 2021, adding to the three 5.5 mtpa units already in production at the plant in the Russian Arctic.

Besides Yamal LNG, Novatek operates the medium-scale LNG plant in Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Vysotsk and is building the giant Arctic LNG 2 project.

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, using gravity-based structure platforms.

The firm expects to launch the first Arctic LNG 2 GBS in late 2023 despite Western sanctions on Russian firms.

Paris-based LNG engineering giant Technip Energies and Italian contractor Saipem previously said they would exit Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project.

In addition to these three projects, Russia has this week approved Novatek’s purchase of Shell’s 27.5 percent stake in Sakhalin Energy LLC, the new operator of the Sakhalin LNG plant led by Gazprom.

Novatek will pay 94.8 billion rubles ($1.15 billion) for the stake, according to a government order.

Most Popular

Venture Global to introduce gas to tenth Plaquemines liquefaction block

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to introduce natural gas to the tenth liquefaction block at the Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana as part of the plant’s commissioning process.

Kimmeridge’s Commonwealth LNG seeks expedited approval from FERC

Kimmeridge's Commonwealth LNG is seeking expedited final approval from the US FERC as it looks to make a final investment decision on its planned LNG export plant in Louisiana later this year.

Excelerate’s FSRU arrives in Germany

Excelerate’s 138,000-cbm FSRU Excelsior has finally arrived in Germany, where it will start serving DET's second LNG import terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

More News Like This

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.

Novatek’s 2024 profit climbs to $5.19 billion

Russian LNG producer Novatek said its net profit rose to about $5.19 billion in 2024.