Several tankers of Russia’s “shadow fleet” are loading liquefied natural gas at two sanctioned Arctic terminals, as reported by The Barents Observer.
Satellite images show a tanker being loaded with LNG at one of the two gas production complexes at the Utrenny terminal in the Ob Bay. Two other tankers are also nearby in the waters.
The Utrenny terminal is part of Russia’s “Arctic LNG 2” project. It is located on the northernmost shore of the Ob Bay.
“Arctic LNG 2” was meant to become Russia’s largest LNG production project. However, due to the full-scale aggressive war and the subsequent wave of international sanctions against Russia and its industry, this has not been realized.
Currently, the Arctic LNG 2 project is sanctioned by both the EU and the US.
Nevertheless, satellite images show that associated gas has been flared at the facility for several weeks. According to Bloomberg, at the end of June, the plant increased its daily production to 14 million cubic meters of natural gas.
The gas carrier vessels currently loading LNG at the Utrenny terminal appear to be part of Novatek’s efforts to circumvent international restrictions.
These carriers will likely be included in the EU sanctions list. Like hundreds of other ships serving the Russian regime, they operate as “shadow tankers.”
