Icebreaking LNG tanker Pyotr Stolypin is seen moored to the pier of the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in Primorsky region, Russia, 11 September 2023. Photo: EPA/PAVEL BEDNYAKOVSPUTNIK /SPUTNIK/KREMLIN / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China reached record highs in November despite Western sanctions targeting Russia’s LNG producers, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
This increase made Russia China’s second largest supplier of LNG after Qatar, overtaking Australia, as Russian sales to China more than doubled relative to November 2024.
Moscow has responded to tighter Western restrictions on its LNG sector by adopting many of the tactics previously used to bypass sanctions on oil exports. A recent satellite investigation by France 24 revealed that Moscow is increasingly relying on a so-called “dark fleet” to move LNG from sanctioned refineries and depots, specifically from the Arctic LNG‑2 facility, to buyers in markets such as China.
According to Reuters, Russian LNG exports from January–August totalled 18.8 million metric tonnes, around 49% of which went to Europe and 51% to Asia.
Earlier this month, the EU reached an agreement to phase out all Russian gas imports, LNG and pipeline, by 2027, compelling Moscow to seek alternative markets despite sanctions. The EU’s 14th sanctions package against Russia also banned the transit of Russian LNG through European ports to destinations outside the bloc.
