Russia does not want to take any risks in the process of launching the world's leading LNG terminal. After Ukrainian attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, the Russian military and the Federal Security Service (FSB) are closely monitoring the Artic LNG 2 project in the Arctic.
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter Novatek launched the second phase of the world's largest floating LNG pipeline from a yard near Murmansk on July 25 with the support of a fleet of towing and offshore ships, according to the cruise ship owner.
The project uses huge above-ground concrete platforms to hold each LNG production line.
With a size of 300m x 128m and a weight of 540,000 tons, the project has the same size and weight as the floating boat used to exploit Prelude FLNG liquefied natural gas of the British company Shell.
At least two FSB patrol vessels and aerospace vehicles will escort a 1,300-neel journey to bring the LNG pipeline into the Arctic. Photos taken in the Kola Gulf also show Russian military aircraft carrier and subs near the LNG floating platform.
In contrast to the launch of the first line in August 2023, with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and being widely reported in Russian media, the launch of Line 2 is much more confidential.
"For the benefit of ensuring the safety of floating modules, promptly detecting and preventing possible sabotage and terrorist threats, an interactive process for anti-terrorism drills and training, as well as for counter-terrorism activities, has been developed and approved," the FSB's press department said.
The biggest risk for the Arctic LNG 2 project is likely to remain throughout the early stages of towing in the Kola Bay and along the Kola Peninsula. The Ukrainian Navy's drone strikes have repeatedly targeted the Russian Black Sea fleet.
It will take about three weeks for the boat to move across the vast waters of the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea.
Novatek's energy facilities were previously targets of attacks by Ukrainian forces. Ust-Luga export terminal and Novatek's processing complex in the Baltic region were attacked by drones in January 2024. This is where the condensed gas is processed into light and heavy naphtha, aircraft fuel, fuel oil and diesel. It took more than 2 months for this facility to operate normally.
Long-range drone strikes have repeatedly targeted major Russian refineries and fuel depots. The closest attack occurred in the Bashkiria region of Russia in May, more than 1,500km from Russian territory.
When it reaches its final destination at Utrenney Station on the Gydan Peninsula, about 3,000km from Ukraine, Arctic LNG 2 will be beyond the current range of Ukrainian drones.
