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Russia's Arctic LNG 2 suspends gas liquefaction amid sanctions, absence of tankers, sources state

Novatek, Russia's largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has suspended production at its Arctic LNG 2 job due to sanctions and a lack of gas tankers, two sources familiar with the matter informed on Tuesday.

The task had been wishing to begin business shipments in the first quarter of this year. But strategies were made complex in 2015 when it was included in Western sanctions over Russia's conflict in Ukraine, prompting foreign investors to freeze involvement and Novatek to issue a force majeure.

The decision to suspend converting gas to LNG is a. blow to Russia's goal to capture a fifth of the international LNG. market by 2030-2035. It is presently the world's fourth-largest. LNG manufacturer with annual exports of 32.6 million metric heaps.

Novatek, which began tentative LNG production at the very first. of the plant's planned 3 trains in December, did not respond. to an ask for comment.

Train one will stay shut till at least completion of June,. among the sources informed , adding that building and construction. activities for the job were still ongoing.

The other 2 trains are due to be delivered to the site by. sea in future from the port of Murmansk. The three trains are. together targeted to produce 19.8 million metric tons per year. of LNG and 1.6 million lots per year of steady gas condensate.

The sources said the primary issue was a lack of expert. tankers efficient in carrying LNG - which is cooled to minus. 163 degrees Celsius (minus 261.4 Fahrenheit) - and cutting. through thick sea ice.

Independently, the Vedomosti newspaper stated on Tuesday that. natural gas output at the job had fallen sharply to 83. million cubic metres (mcm) in February due to a delay in the. start of LNG shipments.

The sources stated production had actually been 425 mcm in December and. 250 mcm in January.

TANKERS

Russia faces obstacles in getting professional gas tankers.

According to Novatek, 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers, able to cut. through 2-metre thick ice, will be constructed at Russia's Zvezda. shipyard for Arctic LNG 2.

Six more Arc7 tankers were due to be developed by Hanwha Ocean,. previously Daewoo Shipbuilding & & Marine Engineering, including. three for Russia's leading tanker group Sovcomflot and. three for Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

Nevertheless, the 3 tankers ordered by Sovcomflot were. cancelled due to the sanctions against Russia, Hanwha stated last. year in regulatory filings.

Ice-class tankers normally have double hulls - enhanced. structures to stand up to the pressure of ice - and reinforced. propellers.

Up until now, only three ideal gas tankers have actually been developed for. Arctic LNG 2, according to public details: the Alexei. Kosygin, Pyotr Stolypin and Sergei Witte vessels.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, responding to. a concern on when the very first LNG freight would be delivered from. the job, stated on Friday that the business is dealing with. the concerns, corresponding talks are under way.

Their main issue is with the tankers, he added.

Ronald Smith, a senior oil and gas expert at Moscow-based. BCS brokerage, stated it was uncertain when - or perhaps if - the. task might get the tankers.

Novatek is effectively managed and may discover a work-around to. get finished ships transferred to the task in some way in the. near future, or those ships may remain stuck in shipyards for an. extended period of time, he said.

Arctic LNG 2 is led by Novatek, which holds a 60% stake. The. other shareholders are France's TotalEnergies,. China's CNPC and CNOOC, and Japan Arctic LNG - a consortium of. Mitsui & & Co, Ltd. and JOGMEC - each holding a 10%. stake.

Mitsui decreased to comment and TotalEnergies referred. comments to Novatek. The other investors were not instantly. readily available to comment.

(source: Reuters)