Russia’s second-largest natural gas producer, NOVATEK, has announced the inauguration of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Magnitogorsk, in the Chelyabinsk region, according to a press release.

The terminal has a design capacity of 40,000 tons per annum and the LNG produced will be sold primarily as a natural gas motor fuel, a further step in NOVATEK’s downstream project.  NOVATEK will supply LNG to its branded refueling complexes for passenger, cargo transport, and mining equipment in the Chelyabinsk Region and the neighboring areas.  

Leonid Mikhelson, NOVATEK’s Chairman of the Management Board, said, “The use of LNG as a motor fuel is strongly supported by NOVATEK. This represents a promising market segment that we are actively developing both in Russia and abroad.  The use of LNG as a motor fuel can significantly reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere that is important to protect the environment, as well as to reduce the fuel costs for transportation.”

The project was carried out by NOVATEK’s subsidiary company, NOVATEK Chelyabinsk, and the technological equipment was provided by JSC NPO GELIYMASH.