Russian Yamal LNG Exceeds Target

Yamal LNG has found that the first, 5.5mn mt/yr train of its plant in Russia's far north is 9% more productive than the design parameters following a late February test that lasted 72 hours. Such tests are common to satisfy the lenders that the money has gone on what was requested.

Yamal LNG said March 2 that the good operational result was because of the extra efficiency of operating a plant in such cold conditions, which suggests that it will not be achieved year round.

Since the inaugural loading December 8, Yamal LNG has loaded 14 cargoes, totalling 1mn mt of LNG. They have gone westwards, as the eastward route to Asian markets is impassable until the ice melts in spring.

Novatek, operator of the Yamal LNG JV, is planning several more export terminals based on cheap feedstock gas in or near the Yamal Peninsula and wants Russia to be a major LNG exporter. The first train started up on time and on budget in the teeth of US sanctions that forced it to turn to China for alternative funding.