The arrival of the first LNG carrier marked a historic moment for the LNG Canada project. This inaugural cargo initiated...
The arrival of the first LNG carrier marked a historic moment for the LNG Canada project. This inaugural cargo initiated...
At a glance
direct EPC contract with the owner, JV Entrepose Contracting / VINCI Construction Grands Projets (Entrepose lead partner, 50%)
Yamal LNG is one of the most ambitious and complex LNG projects ever delivered. Located at 71°15’ N in the Russian Arctic, the terminal develops the vast gas reserves of the South Tambey field (907 billion m³). Building a 16.5 Mt/y liquefaction plant in extreme conditions posed significant technical challenges. Entrepose Contracting and VINCI Construction Grands Projets designed, built, and commissioned four cryogenic tanks—demonstrating world-class capability in the harshest environments.
· Extreme Arctic environment: temperatures down to −57°C, polar night from November to January, permafrost; development of innovative construction methods adapted to polar conditions.
· Geographical isolation: maritime access limited to 3–4 months/year via the Northern Sea Route; exceptional logistics with extensive prefabrication and sea convoys.
· Operational excellence: on-time delivery to specification with unwavering safety standards; international recognition for consortium performance.
What was your role on the Yamal LNG project?
I joined the project in 2012, during the final commercial negotiations, before being appointed Project Director. Being involved at such an early stage gave me a clear understanding of the challenges ahead: building four LNG storage tanks in the Russian Arctic, in an environment that was still largely unfamiliar to us.
What struck you most when you first arrived in Sabetta?
The isolation. The site had very limited infrastructure for a construction project of this scale. Before we could even build the tanks, we had to create the conditions required to deliver the project: set up the camp, organise workforce rotations, mobilise equipment and make sure everything was suitable for Arctic conditions.
We also quickly realised how important it was to listen to people who already understood the environment. Working with our Russian partner Velestroy was instrumental in turning our initial plans into an organisation that was genuinely suited to operating in the Far North.
How do you carry out construction work year-round in such extreme Arctic conditions?
You have to be prepared to challenge your usual ways of working. Initially, we naturally planned to concentrate as much construction activity as possible during the summer, but the summer window is too short.
We therefore learned to work year-round and adapt our construction methods to the seasons. Paradoxically, some operations were easier at –20°C than in summer: when the ground is frozen, heavy equipment can move around much more easily than when the site becomes muddy.
The entire construction organisation had to be adapted to the environment
Was there one phase of the construction that particularly illustrates the pressure involved in the project?
The construction of the first two walls using slipform technology is a good example. We had a very narrow execution window. Missing it could have meant losing an entire construction season and delaying the project by a year.
Entrepose Contracting, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, and Velestroy mobilised significant resources. The second wall was eventually completed in early October, just as temperatures were becoming increasingly challenging.
What did Yamal teach you beyond the technical aspects of the project?
Humility and trust in the teams. On a project like this, you cannot have every answer from the outset. You have to accept a degree of uncertainty, remain adaptable and sometimes make decisions very quickly.
The conditions were demanding, but they also created a very strong sense of solidarity. Yamal remains a genuine human adventure for me: a difficult but fascinating project where we achieved things we might not have imagined ourselves capable of delivering.