More sanctions imposed on Russia’s Arctic LNG entities

By Elizaveta Vereykina, The Barents Observer September 9, 2024
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The sanctions are the response to Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, the US State Department says.

Most of the Russian LNG is produced in the Arctic. Photo: Novatek.ru

The new sanctions will be targeting two entities and two vessels connected to attempts to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S.-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project, according to the State Department statement.

The entities are called Gotik Energy Shipping Co (Gotik) and Plio Energy Cargo Shipping (Plio Energy). As the State Department underlines, the entities have been involved in deceptive shipping practices such as shutting off its automatic identification system to load cargo:

“The U.S. government will continue to answer attempts to operationalize the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project or otherwise expand Russia’s energy capabilities with a swift response, – the official statement says. – “Working alongside our G7 partners and other allies, we will remain steadfast in countering Russia’s exploitation of its energy resources for political gain.”

The base for the Arctic LNG 2 is located at the Utrenny – the new terminal in the Gulf of Ob River in the Russian Arctic.

Earlier this month the U.S. sanctioned a shady fleet of carriers that this summer picked up natural gas from the Untrenny terminal.

In June this year the European Council also announced that it has adopted a 14th package of economic and individual restrictive measures dealing “a further blow to Putin’s regime and those who perpetuate his illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine”.

According to the EU, the goal of the sanctions is to weaken the Russian economy.

Located in Kirkenes, Norway, just a few kilometres from the borders to Russia and Finland, the Barents Observer is dedicated to cross-border journalism in Scandinavia, Russia and the wider Arctic.

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