UK waives sanctions on Russian LNG shipping
Britain has eased restrictions on Russian LNG shipping by issuing a temporary licence for cargoes from the Sakhalin-2 and Yamal terminals bound for third countries, as Whitehall responds to tighter gas markets and soaring energy prices. The carve-out runs until January 1, 2027, and only applies to contracts with a duration of one year or less.
European Union LNG imports from Russia remain steady but may rise when second Arctic plant comes on stream
The European Union reduced imports of pipeline gas from Russia five-fold in 2023, while its purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas cargoes increased by around 38 percent from the Novatek-operated Yamal export plant in Northern Siberia and could rise further in 2024.
Russia's Gazprom signs up Uzbekistan as its first natural gas customer after cut-off of pipelines to European Union
Russian natural gas company Gazprom has signed up the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan as its newest customer after the cut-off in 2022 of European pipeline gas deliveries by the Nord Stream route to Germany after the Ukraine invasion.
Sakhalin-2 fully Russian operated
Sakhalin-2, the Russian oil and LNG project that was handed over to local management two months ago, is now fully operational.
Japanese trading houses take a hit on Russian LNG project
Japanese trading houses, Mitsui & Co and Mitsubishi Corp have cut the value of their stakes in Russia’s Sakhalin-2 LNG project by 217.7 bill yen ($1.66 bill).
Sovcomflot signs charters for LNG-powered Aframax tankers to be refuelled at Sakhalin LNG station
Russian fleet owner Sovcomflot and Sakhalin Energy, operator of the LNG plant in the Russian Far East, signed long-term time-charter contracts for two existing LNG-powered tankers, which will be re-fuelled at the liquefaction and export plant.
Sovcomflot posts rise in revenues as LNG base expands after 10 years of Japan shipments
Sovcomflot, the Russian shipping line with 14 LNG carriers and two others on order, has reported a rise in first-quarter time-charter revenues and turned a profit as it also introduced LNG-powered vessels to its tanker fleet.
Toyo Engineering builds expertise in gas chemicals adjacent to LNG plants and terminals
Toyo Engineering Corp. of Japan has been awarded two engineering and construction contracts in Thailand and Russia as it redirects its core business to petrochemicals after being involved in the global build-out of LNG liquefaction plants and import terminals, including the Sakhalin export facility in the Russian Far East and the largest Indian import terminal at Dahej near Mumbai.
Mitsui of Japan seeks to build Russian and US LNG volumes and discusses plans with Gazprom
Mitsui, the Japanese trading house and liquefied natural gas market participant, has held talks with Gazprom on progress made in two Russian plans to expand LNG output, on the existing Sakhalin Island plant in the Far East and at a planned facility west of Saint Petersburg.
Baltic LNG export plant framework agreement signed by Shell and Gazprom in St. Petersburg
Royal Dutch Shell has signed a further agreement with Russian natural gas company Gazprom to make progress on plans to build a liquefied natural gas export plant on the northwest Russian coast to supply global markets.
