China imported a record 1.299 million metric tons of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in September, according to Chinese customs data
Thursday. That total marked a roughly 73% increase from September 2024, when imports reached 751,000 tons, the Interfax news agency reported. The previous monthly record was 1 million tons in July 2023. Including pipeline deliveries, Russia sent 4.078 billion cubic meters of gas to China in September, up 37% from the same month last year.
September’s uptick in LNG deliveries to China
with increased production at Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project, which began operations in December 2023 but cut output to zero by November 2024. Production resumed this year after Novatek offered discounts of up to 40% to attract Chinese buyers, Reuters
. Chinese authorities are believed to have approved the imports. The Arctic LNG 2 project, co-owned by allies of President Vladimir Putin, was targeted by U.S. sanctions in 2024, which included restrictions on associated vessels and companies. Despite the sanctions, Chinese buyers have continued to purchase Russian LNG without apparent repercussions from Washington.