Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies, stated that Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments may be redirected if the European Union enacts a ban on imports, while not officially sanctioning the key production facilities. TotalEnergies is a stakeholder in the Novatek PJSC-led Yamal LNG plant located in northern Russia and maintains a long-term contract to acquire fuel from this facility, which has not faced restrictions unlike some of the country’s newer projects.
“Up to me take the LNG and to bring it somewhere else than Europe, maybe to Turkey, to India,” Pouyanne remarked to investors in New York. He noted that Turkey, while geographically close to Europe, is not within the EU.
These comments mark one of the first significant responses from a prominent long-term customer of Russia’s Yamal LNG export facility after the EU proposed banning all imports of Russian LNG one year earlier than planned, moving the deadline to 2027 in reaction to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The proposed ban is part of a broader sanctions package against Russia, and the EU is also considering it as part of its strategy to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
The potential sanctions on Yamal LNG remain uncertain, according to Pouyanne. If sanctions are imposed, TotalEnergies would be compelled to halt deliveries of Russian fuel and declare a force majeure situation.
European gas traders are closely observing actions from both the United States and Europe aimed at pressuring Russia regarding its conflict in Ukraine, as further sanctions on energy exports could heighten global competition for LNG shipments. Currently, Russia is Europe’s second-largest LNG provider, following the United States. With a new wave of supply anticipated in 2026 and 2027, any restrictions imposed now could elevate prices in the short term.
“We are waiting to see what political leaders will do,” Pouyanne commented, noting that the latest draft of the ban appeared to focus on banning rather than directly sanctioning.
TotalEnergies holds contracts for 5 million tonnes of LNG from Yamal, with 2 million tonnes earmarked for Europe, another 2 million for Asia, and the remaining tonnage not tied to a specific geographic market. Other long-term European purchasers of Russian LNG include Germany’s Securing Energy for Europe GmbH and Spain’s Naturgy Energy Group SA. Pouyanne previously stated that alternatives to Russian gas are plentiful, predicting a well-supplied market in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
This article was published on September 30, 2025.
