**Russia Revives Efforts to Expand LNG Exports After US Sanctions**
Russia is making another attempt to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, despite disruptions caused by US sanctions at its flagship Arctic LNG 2 plant. According to a report by Bloomberg on June 28, an LNG vessel has docked at the Arctic LNG 2 facility for the first time since October.
The Arctic LNG 2 project, owned by Novatek, was envisioned as Russia’s largest LNG plant, producing almost 20 million metric tons of LNG per year. However, US sanctions were imposed on the project in 2024, disrupting production and forcing Novatek to scale back its operations.
Despite these challenges, Russia is trying again to expand its LNG exports. Ship-tracking data and satellite images analyzed by Bloomberg suggest that at least 13 vessels of Russia’s “shadow fleet” have been assembled to potentially serve Arctic LNG 2. These include four ice-class vessels, three traditional LNG vessels, and six others in various stages of repair or idleness.
Russia’s shadow fleet has grown despite declining pipeline shipments of Russian gas to Europe since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow now has more vessels at its disposal than it did last year, according to Malte Humpert, founder of the Arctic Institute think tank.
“If (Russia) can find buyers, this small fleet should be sufficient to lift cargoes,” Humpert told Bloomberg. However, finding buyers may present a difficulty due to wariness about sanctions violations. Former US President Joe Biden sanctioned ships and companies connected with exports from Arctic LNG 2 in 2024, but it is unclear if current US President Donald Trump will enforce sanctions as strictly.
Representatives of Arctic LNG 2 have continued to search for buyers in China and India, but have not yet made any sales, traders familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The project cut gas production from its fields to almost zero in November 2024, after halting liquefaction due to Western sanctions.
**A Closer Look at Russia’s Shadow Fleet**
Russia’s shadow fleet has been a topic of interest for many years, as it represents a way for Moscow to circumvent global sanctions and continue exporting energy resources. The fleet is made up of aging oil tankers that have been converted or modified to carry LNG.
Despite the challenges posed by US sanctions, Russia’s shadow fleet continues to grow. However, finding buyers may prove difficult due to concerns about sanctions violations. As the global energy market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Russia navigates these challenges and attempts to revive its efforts to expand LNG exports.
**What’s Next?**
The revival of Russia’s efforts to expand LNG exports after US sanctions highlights the complexities of the global energy market. As tensions between Russia and the West continue to rise, the question remains: what will happen next?
Will Russia be able to find buyers for its shadow fleet, or will concerns about sanctions violations deter them? Will the US enforce sanctions as strictly under President Trump, or will they ease up on Moscow’s energy sector?
As we wait for answers, one thing is clear: the global energy market is constantly evolving, and players like Russia must adapt to changing circumstances.
