A first LNG carrier has called at Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 liquefaction project amid expectation that operator Novatek is preparing to export an initial shipment.
On Sunday, Eikland Energy’s iGIS/LNG indicated that the vessel is the Dubai-controlled 138,000-cbm Pioneer (built 2005).
The steam turbine ship was sold to Dubai-based Nur Global Shipping in April by Chinese trader Jovo Group and is one of at least four vessels being linked to Russian business.
In a note, Eikland Energy managing director Kjell Eikland said an LNG carrier was observed entering Ob Bay on 31 July and was berthed at Arctic LNG 2’s gravity-based structure 1 (GBS1) the following morning.
The vessel remained berthed at the plant on 3 August. “We expect some extra time used for the initial ship ‘vetting’, testing and commissioning of loading equipment,” Eikland said.
His company’s assessment is that the ship is the Pioneer “of the dark LNG fleet, chartered by Novatek”.
The LNG data expert added: “Following extensive retrospective analysis using the tools available in iGIS/LNG, we believe the Pioneer has systematically spoofed its position and intention since at least 21 July when it left Norwegian territorial waters.”
He explained that by using cloud-penetrating synthetic-aperture radar imagery, iGIS/LNG has not detected the Pioneer in the small area of Russian territorial waters west of Novaja Semlja where the vessel — according its AIS data — has circled since 21 July.
“On 31 July, however, we found an escorted southbound LNG carrier with compatible profile and dimensions entering Ob Bay and saw the same ship profile berthed at ALNG2 GBS1 on 1 August,” Eikland said.
On Wednesday, data from iGIS/LNG showed the Pioneer moving southbound into Norwegian waters and apparently resuming normal AIS reporting.
Several other LNG carriers have been waiting in similar holding patterns, including another Nur Global Shipping vessel, the 137,200-cbm steam turbine Asya Energy (ex-Trader IV, built 2002), which was west of Novaja Semlja on Sunday.
Arctic LNG 2 has been sanctioned by the US and the UK, along with specialised Arc7 ice-breaking LNG carrier newbuildings that are under construction for the project.
Arctic LNG 2 was originally due to start up at the end of 2023. Novatek admitted that the 19.8m tonnes per annum three-train project had been delayed by the sanctions but has said a first cargo would be exported this year.
The company started production in late 2023 but has apparently reined it back as storage filled.
In July, the second gravity-based structure began being towed to the project site.
Eikland said: “The timing of a clandestine sanction-breaking GBS1 loading seems ideal, since industry focus has been on the 25 July launch and tow of GBS2, [which is] expected to reach Arctic LNG 2 after around 22 days.”
He added that last week also saw the disappearance of the last remaining ice around the Arctic LNG 2 site, clearing the route for the non-ice-classed Pioneer.
“We expect the GBS1-berthed ship — Pioneer, if confirmed — to attempt to leave similarly clandestinely as it arrived,” he said.
“Since the ship is not permitted for NSR [Northern Sea Route] travel, we believe it will reappear along the Norwegian coast, to seamlessly tie into a return from its current AIS-reported circling pattern.”
Eikland speculated that the Pioneer and the other newly Dubai-owned LNG carriers, such as the 138,000-cbm Everest Energy (ex-Metagas Everett, built 2003), which are believed to make up a shadow fleet for Novatek, could be sanctioned in separate upcoming packages from US sanctions regulator the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the European Union.
The US sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 in November.
