Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer Novatek started initial production of LNG at the third liquefaction train at its Yamal LNG facility. 

Once the unit ramps up to full production the total nameplate production capacity of Yamal LNG will reach 16.5 million tons of the chilled fuel per year.

“We have successfully launched all three LNG trains at our flagship Yamal LNG project according to our revised early launch schedule,” Novatek’s head Leonid Mikhelson said.

He noted that the third LNG train was launched more than one year ahead of the planned original schedule.

Speaking of its planned project for the future, Mikhelson added that the company aims to use its experience gained through Yamal LNG and implement it in future LNG project in the resource basin.

The company plans to add the fourth liquefaction train to the project using proprietary technology and Russian-manufactured equipment.

In an interview with LNG World News earlier this year, Novatek’s finance chief, Mark Gyetvay, said the fourth train will have the capacity to produce 900,000 tons of LNG annually.

However, Novatek’s deputy chairman, Lev Feodosyev, speaking at an industry event said the unit will have a 1 mtpa production capacity bringing Yamal LNG’s total capacity up to 17.5 mtpa, Platts reports.

The unit is expected to be commissioned in 2019.

LNG World News Staff