novatek expects year-round nsr exports in 2024-25

摘要

Independent Novatek hopes to begin year-round navigation by LNG carriers of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) through Russia’s Arctic waters in winter 2024-25. This date is under discussion with state-owned Rosatom, which operates Russia’s feet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, according to Novatek chairman and co-owner Leonid Mikhelson. Rosatom’s projection is more conservative than its previous indication that year-round navigation could start in winter 2023-24, Mikhelson said. But Novatek would welcome an earlier opening of the route — its 19.8mn t/yr Arctic LNG 2 project is scheduled for start-up in 2023.