The 16.5 million tons/year Yamal LNG export terminal, operated by Russian independent Novatek, shipped a record 700,000 tons of LNG via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in September, tanker tracking data showed, up from 623,000 tons in August and 545,000 tons in September last year. All Yamal-loaded shipments via the NSR went to Asia. However, only 43% of Yamal LNG production went to Asia last month, falling from 60% in August and 45% a year earlier.
Yamal’s total exports rose to 1.58 million tons in September, higher than 1.54 million tons in August and 1.52 million tons a year ago, despite reduced output due to works on the facility’s fourth 940,000 tons/year liquefaction trains. Novatek has not disclosed the expected completion date for the new unit. Yamal usually halted exports in early-mid October due to high ice levels. However, the latest ice forecast indicated activity could continue for a more extended period this winter.
