An Arc7 ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has made history by successfully conducting the first winter pickup of LNG from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 plant. This achievement is significant for Novatek, the project’s majority owner, as it seeks to maintain ongoing production during the challenging Arctic winter. The cargo was loaded on December 19 at the Utrenniy terminal by the Christophe de Margerie, marking the first winter shipment since the project commenced operations in August 2024.
Currently en route to the Barents Sea, the Christophe de Margerie is expected to transfer its cargo to a conventional LNG carrier or to the Saam Floating Storage Unit (FSU) near Murmansk. Last winter, production at Arctic LNG 2 ceased in October due to the lack of suitable high ice-class LNG carriers. This recent pickup highlights a modest improvement this season, as Novatek now has access to a single Arc7 vessel capable of navigating harsh winter conditions.
While the Christophe de Margerie has completed its task, winter sea ice poses significant challenges. The Arc4 carrier, Buran, made four unsuccessful attempts to reach the terminal, even with icebreaker support. As Novatek prepares for continued operations, it must tread carefully with its lone Arc7 carrier to avoid damage, especially considering previous repairs the Christophe de Margerie underwent last winter.
Arctic LNG 2’s initial production capacity stands at 6.6 million tons annually per train, necessitating at least a dozen Arc7 carriers for smooth operations. The decision to keep production ongoing through winter remains uncertain, depending on the availability of supplies and the completion of a second Arc7 vessel, the Aleksey Kosygin, which is currently in the shipyard.
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