Yamal LNG gets permission for first LNG train

OAO Yamal LNG has secured state permission to commission the main technological facilities of the LNG plant’s first stage in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in north-west Siberia, Russia.

The permission also includes the first liquefaction train, 58 gas wells and respective infrastructure.

The first LNG train is designed to have capacity of 5.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Yamal LNG general director Evgeniy Kot said: “Obtaining permission to commission the first LNG train is the cumulative result of many months of hard work and dedication by thousands of construction workers, installers and engineers who have worked and continue to work in Sabetta.

“We not only maintained our strict project deadlines, but we also expect to launch the second and third LNG trains ahead of schedule.”

With first LNG production scheduled for this year, the company is planning to begin shipping LNG before the end of year.

It is engaged in the construction of the natural gas liquefaction plant based on the Yamal Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle and uses the hydrocarbon resources of the South-Tambeyskoye field.

NOVATEK has a 50.1% interest in Yamal LNG, while Total and CNPC each holdS a 20% interest, and the remaining 9.9% is held by Silk Road Fund.

The South Tambey field has estimated proven and probable natural gas reserves of 926bcm.

To be built in three phases, the LNG plant is expected to produce 16.5MTPA of LNG and up to 1.2MTPA of gas condensate.

The second and third phases are scheduled for start-up in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Production from the project will be shipped to Asia-Pacific and European markets.