The article reviews currently operated and projected small-scale LNG production facilities and discusses the process availability levels of Russian technology and equipment manufacturers. The authors propose grading of small-scale production facilities based on installed capacity, comprising lower, middle, and upper segments, aiming to precisely reflect the process availability of Russian manufacturers.
The number of LNG projects in the small-scale segment is growing in parallel with the growth in unit production capacity. Russian technology and equipment have a high level of process availability in the lower segments, but a significant R&D scope must be done to meet the investors’ requirements. Technologies and equipment using mixed refrigerant and nitrogen in the medium and upper capacity segment (production over 5 t/h) will be in demand the most. Growth in the unit installed capacity of projects requires development of technologies for construction and operation of isothermal tanks, manufacturing of cryogenic tanks for multimodal and road transport, and establishing LNG fueling infrastructure for road transport, railway locomotives, and waterborne transport.
Russia is the only country in the world with regular supply of LNG by rail. The railways ensure energy is available to remote consumers and significantly expand the geographical scope of supply. In coastal areas, LNG is distributed using small gas carriers and bunkering tankers.
Russian companies own and develop technologies in line with global best practices in the area of mixed refrigerant applications. Manufacturing of LNG tanks using aluminum alloys has started. Artificial intelligence technologies for production management are being developed now.

A.Yu. Klimentyev, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) under the President of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Russia), Russian Gas Society (Moscow, Russia), t_diamonds@mail.ru

P.K. Kalashnikov, PhD in Engineering, Associate Professor, National University of Oil and Gas “Gubkin University” (Moscow, Russia), kpk@gubkin.pro

S.N. Ivanov, National Association Liquefied Natural Gas (Kingisepp, Russia), ivanov_sn@nasslng.ru

P.V. Sarafannikov, National Association Liquefied Natural Gas, sarafannikov_pv@nasslng.ru