Yamal LNG Exports Reach 3mn MT

The Russian Yamal LNG project has now exported 3mn metric tons of LNG on the 41st tanker to leave its site in Russia's far north, the operator Novatek said July 23. The 5.5mn mt/yr train started exporting at the end of December 2017, so it is marginally ahead of target. At time of press Yamal LNG had not confirmed this or explained why. The normally freezing conditions during winter however will have improved the efficiencies.

In July, the summer navigational period started on the Northern Sea Route, allowing the Yamal LNG project to ship cargos of LNG using Arc7 ice-class LNG tankers eastwards to Asian-Pacific countries without ice-breaking support, as well as using LNG carriers with lower ice class designation.