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Breaking the ice

Solano^® Nature shines in world-leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility

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In one of the world’s remotest and harshest environments, the Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) installation has just begun production. Situated in Russia’s Siberia region, Yamal will supply LNG to Asia and Europe. The modules which comprise the plant make use of Solano^® Nature – an organic coated steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products which is specifically designed for use in harsh and corrosive environments.

The Yamal LNG project, based above the Arctic Circle, is one of the most ambitious in the world. Using hydrocarbon resources from the South Tambey field, Yamal will produce up to 16.5 million tonnes (Mt) of LNG annually.

Solano^® Nature for corrosion resistance and durability

Construction of the first liquefaction train began in Asia during 2015. ArcelorMittal partner Van Dam was awarded the contract to supply 50,000 square metres (m²) of its Generation III-F^® bolted wall cladding system for the modules. More than 28,000 m² of panels were supplied by Van Dam for the second train during 2016.

Profiles ready for shipping to the construction site in Asia from Van Dam in the Netherlands

“Van Dam advised the client to use Solano^® Nature for the outer and inner skins of the panels,” notes Leo Assenberg van Eijsden, project manager for Van Dam. “We have been using Solano^® Nature for more than 30 years and our engineering department has practical and long-term experience with its use, particularly in the offshore petrochemical industry. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and durability, even in the harsh Arctic environment where Yamal is located.”

Modules were completed at shipyards in China and Singapore

Pure and robust, as required by nature

The contract for the Yamal project specified that the panels had to cope with temperature variations from -40 to +40°C. “With its 200 μm thick coating, Solano^® Nature is particularly suited to northern European and harsh climatic environments such as the Arctic,” explains Coen van Gorp, key account manager for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products.

When complete, the modules are as high as a six-storey building

“Solano^® Nature enabled us to meet Yamal’s requirements for fire resistance and gas tightness,” says Leo Assenberg van Eijsden.

Completed modules were loaded onto ships for the journey to the Arctic Circle

In addition to Solano^® Nature, ArcelorMittal also supplied beams and sheet piles for the construction of the Yamal base in the Arctic. The beams were needed to build supporting structures for the gas liquefaction and purification facilities, as well as halls and auxiliary buildings for equipment.

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