The first LNG carrier to supply to China from the Yamar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) field near the Arctic arrived at China’s East LNG station. The northeast passage departs from Sabetta, Russia, heading east and traveling south through the Cara, Laptev, Eastern Siberian, Chukchi and Bering Straits. The sailing distance is about 10,700 kilometers, about 14,400 km shorter than the way to the east via the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal. Navigation takes about 20 days on average, 20 days less than the conventional route. The Yamal Project is jointly operated by Nova Tech of Russia, China Oil, France Total and China Silk Road Foundation. Its natural gas reserves are 130 million cubic meters, and the amount of refined mineral oil (“white oil”) reserves is 60 million tons.

Japan JST China news, July 20, 2018