Hmmmm....
From The Barents Observer, October 13:
Gazprom teams up with Kurchatov Institute
“Fantasy project,” Nikitin says about nuclear gas carrier submarine
Russia’s leading research institute for development of nuclear energy has reached an agreement with Gazprom to develop a submarine for transport of liquid natural gas along the Northern Sea Route.
Aleksandr Nikitin with the Bellona foundation is halfway laughing when asked about safety aspects on Russia's planned civilian nuclear-powered submarine for bringing gas to markets in Asia. He does not at all believe the project will surface.
Design work has begun, said president of the the Kurchatov Institute, Mikhail Kovalchuk. He presented the news at the OMR 2024 forum devoted to development of shipping and high-tech equipment for the Arctic taking place in St. Petersburg this week.
The idea to conquer difficult ice conditions by simply sailing under it is not new. Both the Kurchatov institute and Malachite Design Bureau have previously discussed the plan of creation of a reactor-powered submarine for transport of hydrocarbons from the Arctic shelf.
This, however, is the first time the designers announce an agreement of intent with Gazprom, the Kremlin mjority-owned energy corporation.
Gazprom director Alexei Miller and Kurchatov Institute chief Kovalchuk had a working meeting on October 11 where the implementation of nuclear power project for Russia’s Arctic shelf was discussed, the energy-online Neftegaz reported.
Gazprom is in deep financial crisis after sales more than halved following Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine. The energy giant lost pipeline gas sales to Europe and faced its first annual net loss in 2023 after decades of making big money.
Gazprom is now ranked as Russia's most unprofitable company....
....MUCH MORE
In Q3 2008 Gazprom got to third place on the worldwide market cap league tables.
And in 2010 it was the world's most profitable company (July Fortune Global 500 list), though only 50th in revenues.
In the words of Viktor Chernomyrdin, former head of Gazprom (and Prime Minister of Russia '92 - '98):
"We meant to do better, but it came out as always"
January 2019
Russia To Introduce Nuclear-Powered Ice-Breaking Submarines
December 2019
Russia Is Studying the Idea Of Nuclear-Powered LNG Carrier Submarines
