Tanker linked to Russia's Arctic LNG 2 spotted in ship-to-ship transfer
A U.S.-sanctioned gas tanker that picked up a cargo from Russia's new Arctic LNG 2 plant this month has been spotted carrying out a ship-to-ship transfer, suggesting Moscow is managing to continue some exports from the project.
Monitoring service TankerTrackers.com said in an X post on Monday that the Pioneer had conducted a transfer to the Palau-flagged, UAE-owned and Indian-managed New Energy tanker north of the Suez Canal.
The Arctic 2 LNG plant, which was planned to be Russia's largest, started producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in December, but its exports have been hindered by Western sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Ship-to-ship transfers usually unload LNG from costly ice-class tankers onto cheaper conventional gas carriers, but can also be used to complicate cargo tracking. While some countries, including India, continue to buy Russian energy despite Western sanctions, they are sometimes wary of advertising the fact to try to avoid diplomatic tensions.
The United States said on Friday it had sanctioned more Russian entities and individuals over the war in Ukraine.
It also said that Pioneer and another tanker, Asya Energy, entered Russian waters in late July and engaged in a number of "deceptive shipping practices", such as shutting off the vessels' automatic identification system (AIS).
It said that Pioneer loaded LNG from the Arctic LNG 2 plant from Aug. 1–3.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Asya Energy was also captured by commercial satellite imagery loading LNG from the Utrenneye terminal at the Arctic LNG 2 facility from Aug. 9–11.
Russia says the Western sanctions are illegal and are imposed to help U.S. LNG exporters.
Arctic LNG 2 had been expected to reach an eventual output of 19.8 metric MMtpy of LNG and 1.6 MMtpy of stable gas condensate from three trains.
However, the project could be scaled back due to the sanctions, which make it harder to secure gas carriers for shipments and to access equipment needed to produce the gas.
Related News
Related News
- Digital Exclusive: Evolving pressure relief valve designs protect LNG facilities
- JGC-Hyundai JV awarded EPC contract for major low-carbon LNG plant project in Papua New Guinea
- TC Energy approves $1.5-B Columbia Gas expansion after profit tops estimates
- NextDecade to use Honeywell liquefaction technology for 30-MMtpy LNG terminal
- Wärtsilä continues to expand its data center footprint with new 790 MW order in Texas
Comments