EP39: Russia’s submersible LNG tanker plan

Summary:In this episode we discuss a proposed Russian project to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) using nuclear-powered submarines. While some see this as an ambitious solution to Russia's challenges in shipping LNG, especially in icy waters, critics point out the country's lack of shipbuilding capacity and the complex engineering involved. This idea, first proposed in 2019, envisions a submarine more than twice the size of the largest existing submarine, powered by three reactors and capable of carrying 180,000 tons of LNG. Questions to consider as you read/listen:1. What are the technological challenges and potential implications of using nuclear-powered submarines to transport liquefied natural gas?2. How does the proposed LNG-submarine project compare to existing submarine designs and the current state of Russian shipbuilding capacity3. What are the geopolitical and economic motivations behind Russia's proposal to use nuclear-powered submarines for LNG ?  Long format:  Submersible nuclear LNG tankersIn the weird news department…. I think I found THE winner for today. I offer this:Russia Is Looking to Use Nuclear-Powered Subs to Transport LNGhttps://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-looking-use-nuclear-powered-subs-transport-lng-213328At first I thought this was a put on. But apparently this is being discussed. I guess the thinking is if you can’t buy or make Arc7 ice-class tanker or rally your existing ice breakers to clear a reliable path for the few LNG tankers you have, you either build some that no one on earth has attempted or repurpose your nuclear sub fleets to do it. How they will do it even in the short term, sure beats me. Above water LNG carriers are some of the most difficult vessels to build, and can take up to 30 months to construct. Add on nuclear propulsion and all the complexities with making a “good” submersible… ambitious. This is not simple crude transport, it requires for it to be at about -260° Fahrenheit (-162 C) for shipping and pressurized. I found some sources dating back to 2019 when this was first floated out (pun intended) and used google translator to get some additional details. The world’s largest submarine today is the Soviet-designed ballistic missile carrier of the Typhoon class which is 175 meters long and 23 meters wide. The proposed LNG-submarine would in others words be more than twice the size of the Typhoons.Unlike navy submarines, which have one or two reactors, the LNG-submarine would be powered by three reactors, providing 90 MW power to the propellers.It would carry 180,000 tons of liquified natural gasIn a different publication, Aleksandr Nikitin, a nuclear expert that until 2022 chaired the St. Petersburg-based Environmental Right Centre Bellona said “Russia doesn’t even have basic shipbuilding capacities,” he argues and point to the fact that the country is short of abilities to build basic tankers and dry cargo ships.“In short, this is nonsense from Kovalchuk,” Nikitin says.But I guess all of that is a mere detail to the Russians.Sources:https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/fantasy-project-nikitin-says-about-nuclear-gas-carrier-submarine/326492https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/industry-and-energy/sunrise-could-come-for-nuclearpowered-submarine-tanker/137649  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geopoliticsunplugged.substack.com/subscribe