Part of Arctic LNG 2 under construction near Belokamenka in Murmansk
Russia’s quest for energy ‘technological sovereignty’, part 2
The country faces big challenges as it seeks to replace Western suppliers when it comes to LNG carriers, while sanctions have all-but halted its petrochemicals expansion
Russia has been locked out of Western oil and gas technologies since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, it has been seeking substitutes and has a programme to become more self-reliant. In the midstream, Russia produces all the components used to build pipelines, oil and gas treatment facilities, compressor units and cryogenic heat exchangers itself. The biggest challenge, as Petroleum Economist has reported in depth, is in the LNG sector. While Russia’s import substitution programme has achieved some important feats, including the development of domestic liquefaction technology, building LNG carriers “is a big headache for the country”, said Matthew Hale, senior vice-pre
Also in this section
17 February 2026
Eni’s chief operating officer for global natural resources, Guido Brusco, takes stock of the company’s key achievements over the past year, and what differentiates its strategy from those of its peers in the LNG sector and beyond
16 February 2026
As the third wave of global LNG arrives, Wood Mackenzie’s director for Europe gas and LNG, Tom Marzec-Manser, discusses with Petroleum Economist the outlook for Europe’s gas market in 2026
13 February 2026
Artificial intelligence is pushing electricity demand beyond the limits of existing grids, increasing the role of gas and LNG in energy system planning as a fast, flexible solution
13 February 2026
Panellists at LNG2026 say demand growth will hinge less on the level of global supply and more on the pace of downstream buildout, policy clarity and bankable market frameworks
