Novatek granted patent for liquefaction tech

Russian LNG export player Novatek received a federal patent for its natural gas liquefaction technology called Arctic Cascade.

The patented LNG technology is based on a two-stage liquefaction process that capitalizes on the colder ambient temperature in the Arctic climate to maximize energy efficiency during the liquefaction process, Novatek said in a statement on Wednesday.

Alexander Fridman, Novatek’s first deputy chairman, said the Arctic Cascade is first patented liquefaction technology using equipment produced by Russian manufacturers.

“Our goal is to localize the fabrication and construction of LNG trains and modules to decrease the overall cost of liquefaction and develop a technological base within Russia,” he said.

A technological base within Russia would go in hand with Novatek’s liquefied natural gas infrastructure development plans.

Novatek started exporting liquefied natural gas from its Yamal LNG project in December last year and is already lining up partners for its second export project, the Arctic LNG 2 project.

The company is also lining up a $1.5 billion investment in a liquefied natural gas transshipment terminal on Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East.