Owners have taken a final investment decision for Yamal LNG, according to minority interest holder Total SA. The 16.5-million tonne/year liquefaction plant will be built on the Yamal Peninsula on the Kara Sea with first-train start-up set for 2017.
The $27 billion project consists of developing giant onshore South Tambey gas and condensate field on the peninsula, three 5.5-million tpy trains, LNG storage tanks, and port infrastructure at Sabetta. As many as 16 icebreaking LNG carriers will be commissioned to handle international trade via the Arctic Ocean.
Operator Yamal LNG JSC is currently owned by Total (20%) and Novatek (80%). In September, Novatek and China National Petroleum Corp. agreed to CNPC acquiring 20% of the project. In April, Yamal LNG JSC let contract for engineering, procurement, supply, construction, and commissioning on the LNG plant to a consortium of France’s Technip and Japan’s JGC (OGJ Online, Apr. 5, 2013).