Russia’slargest independent natural gas producer, Novatek has firmed up cooperation with the Government of the Chukotka Autonomous Area.

According to the agreement, the company will consider projects introducing LNG as a fuel for distributed power generation, as well as motor fuel for maritime, automotive transport and mining equipment in Chukotka.

“The Russian Federation fully supports the development of the Northern Sea Route as a yearly navigational route connecting the Asian Pacific and European markets. When our LNG transshipment complex in the Kamchatka Territory and the Arctic LNG 2 project become fully operational, the ice-class LNG tankers will navigate along the Arctic coast of the Chukotka Autonomous Region year-round and almost daily,” Novatek’s head Leonid Mikhelson said.

He further noted that future development of Novatek’s LNG projects will enable the supply of natural gas to remote northern regions which will take the place of traditional energy sources that include coal and diesel fuel.