Dutch firm Mammoet secures Arctic LNG 2 contract

Dutch heavy lift and transportation firm Mammoet has secured a contract from Technip-led joint venture (JV) NovArctic, in partnership with Saipem and NIPIgas, for the Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia.

According to Mammoet, this is the ‘biggest-ever’ contract in the company’s history.

The estimated $21.3bn project includes the development of the Utrenneye field and the construction of a natural gas liquefaction plant on the Gydan Peninsula in the Russian Arctic region.

It will feature three 6Mtpa liquefaction trains using gravity-based structure (GBS) platforms.

The first LNG cargo is anticipated to be exported by 2023 while the second and third trains are planned to be launched by 2024 and 2026, respectively.

Within four years, Mammoet will install 42 large modules onto three concrete GBS in the Russian city of Murmansk.

The project is expected to use about 2,000 SPMT axles, Mega Jack lifting systems, as well as a crane fleet spearheaded by a CC8800-1 crane.

According to the Dutch firm, the contract is expected to use around 120 workers at peak times on site.

Mammoet stated in a press statement: “Mammoet will provide unloading, lifting, jacking and skidding services at the purpose-built shipyard near Murmansk, ensuring a continuous installation of the modules on top of the GBS.

“Mammoet has also landed a contract for unloading services at the module fabrication yard, Qingdao McDermott Wuchuan Offshore Engineering in China (a joint venture between McDermott and CSIC Wuchuan).

“This will require the mobilisation of some self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) axles and also additional heavy lift cranes to the yard.”

Novatek holds a 60% stake in the Arctic LNG 2 project, while Total has a direct 10% interest. The French energy firm also owns an 11.6% indirect participation in the project via its 19.4% stake in Novatek.

CNPC, CNOOC, and the Japan Arctic LNG, which is a consortium of Mitsui & Co and JOGMEC, each hold a 10% interest in the project.

Mammoet is also involved in the Russian Yamal LNG project.

In September last year, Novatek, Total and the other project partners took a final investment decision (FID) for the Arctic LNG 2 project.