Arctic LNG 2 actually operating, we expect first shipments in Q1 - Novak

MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) - The first stage of Novatek's liquefied natural gas plant Arctic LNG 2 has actually started operating, and first shipments are expected in Q1 2024, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

"The Arctic LNG 2 plant is currently under construction, but the first stage has actually already started operating. And we are expecting the first shipments from this project in the first quarter of next year," he said.

Novak said that Russia now ranks fourth in LNG export volumes. By the end of 2023, Russian enterprises will most likely produce about 33 million tonnes of LNG, which is approximately 8% of the world market.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that, with all the projects that are currently in Russia's strategic plans for LNG market development, by 2035 the country should reach production of about 100 million tonnes. "And we plan to occupy a niche of 15%-20% in world markets; generally the same share we had in pipeline gas supplies," he said.

Novak said that earlier this year a decision was made to build an LNG plant in Murmansk: "Firstly, this is the Murmansk LNG plant, where three lines will be built. The decisions were made this year to build a gas pipeline in Murmansk and to have a 20 million-tonne plant there by 2029-2030."