TotalEnergies might completely stop exporting LNG from Russia after EU ban, but plans to stay in Yamal LNG
MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - TotalEnergies might be forced to completely stop exports from the Yamal LNG project in Russia after the European Union ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas goes into effect, the French energy company's CEO, Patrick Pouyanne said.
The ban goes into effect at the start of next year. Previously, TotalEnergies planned to redirect shipments from Yamal LNG to buyers outside of Europe, including in Asia, the Financial Times reported.
However, on Wednesday Pouyanne told reporters that ambiguities regarding the application of the European ban could force the company to stop shipments from Yamal LNG altogether.
The company will no longer be able to ship gas from Yamal LNG to Europe and possibly beyond Europe, he said. The restrictions will certainly apply to shipments to Europe, but will they also apply to any European company doing any kind of business in Russia? Pouyanne said.
EU countries and the European Commission are discussing the details of the ban's application, he said.
Speaking to analysts, Pouyanne said the ban on short-term contracts that goes into effect in April 2026 will not affect the contract to buy LNG from Yamal LNG, but as of 2027 shipping this gas to the EU will be prohibited. The company intends to redirect shipments under this contract to other markets, but there is a legal question regarding the order as to whether the ban applies only to shipments to Europe or to European companies marketing Russian gas throughout the world, he said.
The company has asked the French Finance Ministry and EC to clarify this issue, Pouyanne said.
But even if TotalEnergies can no longer market Russian gas, it can remain a shareholder of Yamal LNG, he said, remarking that this project is a source of two types of business: being a shareholder of the company, the plant, even if it is difficult to receive dividends, and LNG sales. Sanctions currently apply only to sales, there are no coercive measures, no rules that would force the company to leave Yamal LNG, Pouyanne said.
Yamal LNG supplied 14% of the EU's total LNG imports in 2025, data from Kpler showed. More than 75% of the plant's gas went to Europe, the FT said.
The EU passed a 19th package of sanctions against Russia last October that includes a ban on LNG imports. The first phase, which will only apply to some contracts, will take effect on April 25, 2026, and a complete ban is expected to go into force on January 1, 2027.
As of April 25, 2026, EU countries will be prohibited from buying, importing or transporting LNG produced in or exported from Russia, according to the published document. It also prohibits the provision of direct or indirect technical support, and brokerage, financial and other services related to this ban.
