Sakhalin 2 expected to reach highest planned oil production level in 2010
The first consignment of Russian liquefied natural gas produced by “Sakhalin 2” project has been successfully transferred from the LNG plant to the special ship “Energy Frontier”, “Sakhalin Energy” public relations service reports according to Vladivostok Times.
The ship carrying 145 cubic meters of LNG departed from Prigorodnoye on March 29 and headed for the terminal Sodegaura in Tokyo Bay. It was the first time in history when Russian gas was delivered to Japan. This consignment is targeted at two major customers – “Tokyo Gas” and “Tokyo Electric”.
“This event is one of the most important steps in the project’s history. It’s a culmination of the efforts of the Russian Federation, Sakhalin Area, our shareholders, thousands of workers and contractors. These efforts have been aimed at making this project become a reality,” “Sakhalin Energy” CEO Ian Craig noted. “Russia entered the LNG market in the Asia Pacific Region and became a new long-term partner for Japan and Korea.”
Today Sakhalin liquefied natural gas is produced at the first of two LNG plant’s processing lines. The second processing line is planned to be put into operation in the middle of the year. In 2009 and early 2010 both lines will gradually reach their estimated capacity. The project infrastructure includes three sea platforms, a united technological complex, 300 kilometers of marine pipeline and 1600 kilometers of surface pipeline, an oil shipment terminal, and a LNG plant.
Practically all production of two LNG plant’s processing lines (9.6 million tonnes) has already been contracted for on the basis of long-term sale agreements with Japan, South Korea and other markets. Sakhalin LNG is the first Russian gas delivered to those regions.