Saudi Aramco Assesses Possible Investment in Shandong Yulong Petrochemical

Officials at the signing ceremony. (SPA)
Officials at the signing ceremony. (SPA)
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Saudi Aramco Assesses Possible Investment in Shandong Yulong Petrochemical

Officials at the signing ceremony. (SPA)
Officials at the signing ceremony. (SPA)

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemical companies, Nanshan Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd., and Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co., Ltd. signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate discussions relating to the possible acquisition by Aramco of a 10% strategic equity interest in Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (Shandong Yulong), subject to due diligence, negotiation of transaction documents and required regulatory clearance.

Shandong Yulong is currently in the process of completing the construction of a refining and petrochemicals complex that is designed to process around 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and produce a large volume of petrochemicals and derivatives. The facilities are located at Longkou, Yantai City, in China’s Shandong Province.

As outlined in the MoU, Aramco would potentially supply Shandong Yulong with crude oil and other feedstock.

Aramco Downstream President Mohammed Al Qahtani said: “As one of China’s largest refining and chemical centers, Aramco values Shandong for its current strength and future prospects. We believe this collaboration has potential to enable all parties to contribute to China’s energy security and development, and aid in navigating the energy transition.”

“With Aramco’s long track record as a reliable supplier of energy to China, and the expertise and commitment of Shandong Province, we envision a prosperous future together,” he added.

The MoU follows last month’s announcement that Aramco had signed a cooperation framework agreement with Jiangsu Eastern Shenghong Co., Ltd., (“Eastern Shenghong”) to also facilitate discussions relating to the possible acquisition by Aramco of a 10% strategic equity interest in Jiangsu Shenghong Petrochemical Industry Group Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern Shenghong, subject to due diligence, negotiation of transaction documents and required regulatory clearance.



Russia’s First Ice-Class LNG Carrier Enters Sea Trials, Data Shows

A concrete gravity-based structure (GBS) of Arctic LNG 2 joint venture is seen under construction in a dry dock of the LNG Construction center near the settlement of Belokamenka, Murmansk region, Russia July 26, 2022. (Reuters)
A concrete gravity-based structure (GBS) of Arctic LNG 2 joint venture is seen under construction in a dry dock of the LNG Construction center near the settlement of Belokamenka, Murmansk region, Russia July 26, 2022. (Reuters)
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Russia’s First Ice-Class LNG Carrier Enters Sea Trials, Data Shows

A concrete gravity-based structure (GBS) of Arctic LNG 2 joint venture is seen under construction in a dry dock of the LNG Construction center near the settlement of Belokamenka, Murmansk region, Russia July 26, 2022. (Reuters)
A concrete gravity-based structure (GBS) of Arctic LNG 2 joint venture is seen under construction in a dry dock of the LNG Construction center near the settlement of Belokamenka, Murmansk region, Russia July 26, 2022. (Reuters)

The first Russian-built ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has entered sea trials, LSEG data showed on Friday, as part of Russia's efforts to raise global LNG market share despite US sanctions.

The tanker, named Alexey Kosygin after a Soviet statesman, was built at the Zvezda shipyard and is due to join the fleet of vessels for Russia's new Arctic LNG 2 plant, which has been delayed because of the US sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.

The US Treasury has also placed sanctions on the new vessel, which Russia's leading tanker group Sovcomflot ordered to be built at Zvezda, Russia's most advanced shipbuilding yard. LSEG ship-tracking data shows it is anchored near the Pacific port of Vladivostok.

Sovcomflot has not replied to a request for comment.

Novatek, which owns 60% of Arctic LNG 2, has said 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers that are able to cut through two meter (6.5 ft) thick ice to transport LNG from Arctic projects, will be built at Zvezda shipyard.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Novatek shut down commercial operations at the first and only operational train of its Arctic LNG 2 project in October with no plans to restart it during winter.

Ice-class tankers usually have double hulls - strengthened structures to withstand the pressure of ice - and reinforced propellers.

So far, only three suitable gas tankers have been built for Arctic LNG 2, according to public information: the Alexey Kosygin, Pyotr Stolypin and Sergei Witte vessels.

Six more Arc7 tankers were due to be built by Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, including three for Sovcomflot and three for Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

However, the three tankers ordered by Sovcomflot were cancelled due to the sanctions against Russia, Hanwha said last year in regulatory filings.