Explosions Heard, Fire Erupts at Novatek Baltic Sea Terminal

_{A handout photo released on January 21, 2024, on the official Telegram account of Leningrad region governor Aleksandr Drozdenko depicts rescue efforts to quell a blaze at a natural gas terminal in the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga.(AFP)}

A fire broke out at Novatek's Baltic Sea terminal, a significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer in Russia. The incident occurred amid reports of explosions and sightings of Ukrainian drones in the vicinity. The Ust-Luga complex, situated about 170 km west of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland, is responsible for processing stable gas condensate into various products such as light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil, and gasoil. Novatek utilizes the port to ship these processed products to international markets.

According to Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the Leningrad region, where the terminal is located, there were no casualties resulting from the fire. He confirmed that personnel had been evacuated. Russian news agencies reported damage to two storage tanks and a pumping station, but the fire was subsequently brought under control.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately disclosed by Drozdenko. However, local reports, including from Russian news outlet Shot, mentioned that nearby residents heard a drone operating, followed by several explosions. Another St. Petersburg-based news outlet, Fontanka, reported the sighting of at least two drones flying towards St. Petersburg before the terminal caught fire.

The context of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, involving targeted attacks on energy infrastructure, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. In recent days, there have been drone attacks on an oil depot in Russia's Bryansk region and an unsuccessful attack on a Baltic Sea oil terminal, with Moscow attributing the incidents to Kyiv.

As of now, there is no immediate comment from Ukraine on the Novatek incident. Additionally, Novatek has not responded to requests for comment. Baza, a Russian news outlet with ties to security services, shared footage on Telegram showing large flames rising from what appeared to be an industrial complex.

Three international tanker ships were reportedly anchored near the fire, with no reported damage to them. Alexander Drozdenko announced the introduction of a "high alert regime," and officials convened for an emergency meeting to address the situation.

The incident raises concerns about the immediate impact on Novatek's operations and the broader energy landscape in the region, given the critical role played by the Ust-Luga complex in processing and exporting LNG products. The ongoing geopolitical tensions further complicate the assessment of the incident's implications for the energy sector and regional stability.