Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer NOVATEK launched in Magnitogorsk the first small-scale LNG plant in the Chelyabinsk Region with a projected capacity of 40K tons per annum. NOVATEK-Chelyabinsk, a wholly owned subsidiary, commenced pilot LNG production at the facility. The main technological equipment was supplied by NPO GELIYMASH, one of the leading manufacturers in Russia specializing in cryogenic technologies.
The LNG produced will be sold primarily as natural gas motor fuel, and NOVATEK will supply LNG to its branded refueling complexes for passenger, cargo transport and mining equipment in the Chelyabinsk Region and the neighboring areas.
“The use of LNG as a motor fuel is strongly supported by NOVATEK,” Leonid Mikhelson, NOVATEK’s Chairman of the Management Board, noted. “This represents a promising market segment that we are actively developing both in Russia and abroad. The use of liquefied natural gas as a motor fuel can significantly reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. It is important to protect the environment, as well as to reduce fuel costs for transportation”.