Russian gas producer Novatek and the state atomic energy company Rosatom on Monday concluded a contract that will secure an ice-free export route for gas from Novatek’s LNG plant on the Yamal Peninsula.
Novatek, Russia’s largest privately owned gas producer is expanding and developing fields on the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas, and in the Gulf of Ob, with LNG exports to be transported from the port of Sabetta in Yamal.
The new port of Sabetta, a joint initiative of the Novatek company and Russian federal authorities, will be a key component in the development of the gas-rich Yamal Penisula. Linked with the South Tambey field and a major projected LNG plant, the port will be built to handle more than 30 million tons of goods per year.
Rosatom is building a new generation of nuclear-powered icebreaker vessels that will be used to carve a path for shipping through Arctic waters, and in the White and Baltic seas.
As well as ensuring safe navigation for LNG vessels, the agreement covers interrelated investment projects as well as creation of new technologies and development of competitive products to boost the efficiency of gas exploitation, storage and transport, a press release on Novatek’s web site reads.
“This is a mutually beneficial agreement” said Rosatom general director Sergei Kirienko. “For Rosatomflot it is important to have a stable demand for its services, and for such companies as Novatek it is essential to be confident that its hydrocarbon production is transported in the most effective way”.
The two companies entered a cooperation agreement in February 2011.
