Russia’s Yamal LNG delivers first natural gas to Bangladesh

Novatek has announced the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Russia’s Yamal LNG project to Bangladesh.

The LNG shipment was made as part of the long-term offtake agreement with French energy firm Total.

The first LNG was delivered along the westbound route through the Suez Canal with transhipment from the ice-class Arc7 LNG tanker Eduard Toll to a conventional LNG tanker at the Belgian terminal in Zeebrugge.

It was unloaded at the Summit LNG Terminal in Bangladesh in alignment with the lifting and delivery schedule of the buyer, said Novatek.

Novatek has a 50.1% interest in Yamal LNG while Total and CNPC each hold a 20% interest. The remaining 9.9% is owned by Silk Road Fund.

Novatek management board first deputy chairman Lev Feodosyev said: “LNG demand is constantly growing all over the world with new consumer countries appearing. Bangladesh started importing LNG just a year ago with the launch of the country’s first LNG terminal, and it has rapidly increased natural gas consumption as well as regasification capacities.

“The low cost of our LNG and an efficient logistical model allow us to deliver LNG and successfully develop new markets around the world.”

The Yamal LNG project comprises four liquefaction trains. The first train commenced operations in December 2017, followed by the second in July and the third in November last year.

The fourth train is expected to be operational by early next year.

The LNG plant has so far produced more than 16.5 million tonnes (Mt) this year. It has shipped 25Mt of LNG since the start-up of Train 1 in December 2017.