Gazprom and Mitsui discuss cooperation on Sakhalin II and small-scale LNG

The parties addressed partnership prospects in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, focusing on, among other things, joint efforts in expanding the Sakhalin II project through constructing the third train of the LNG plant.

Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on LNG bunkering studies. Pursuant to the document, the companies will conduct feasibility and marketing studies with regard to the bunkering of marine vessels with LNG in Russia’s Far East and the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan's Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) is focused on the development, marketing, distribution and treatment of all types of energy products in Japan and overseas, as well as on financial activities.

Russia's only LNG plant is operating under the Sakhalin II project. The Sakhalin II operator is Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (Gazprom – 50 per cent plus one share, Shell – 27.5 per cent minus one share, Mitsui – 12.5 per cent, and Mitsubishi – 10 per cent). On June 18, 2015, Gazprom and Shell signed the Memorandum on implementing the construction project for the third production train of the LNG plant. At present, the development of the FEED documents for the third train is nearing completion. In 2015, the plant produced 10.8 million tons of LNG, exceeding the design capacity by 1.2 million tons.

On September 2, 2016, Gazprom and Mitsui signed the Memorandum of Understanding on LNG bunkering.