Today, the Amur Gas Processing Plant (Amur GPP) is an unique example of the development of new chemical products and the processing of deep natural gas. This complex, which is integral to the structure of PJSC Gazprom, is being built in the Amur Region of Russia, near the small city of Svobodny, as part of a long-term program for the development of the gas and gas-chemical industry.
In terms of its design capacity, the Amur GPP is one of the largest natural gas processing facilities in the world, being built virtually “from scratch” over the course of nearly two decades. Designed to process up to 42 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, it is a strategically significant component of both Russia’s domestic energy infrastructure and its export-oriented energy logistics, which are primarily focused on Asian markets.
The Project’s Development and History
Beginning of Construction and Significant Milestones
Construction of the Amur Gas Processing Plant began in October 2015, following a decision to implement a large-scale project for deep gas processing as part of Russia’s Eastern Gas Program. This decision was accompanied by the establishment of a comprehensive infrastructure, which encompassed auxiliary facilities, engineering networks, and transport routes.
The official launch of industrial production of specific gas processing products was marked by the commissioning of the plant’s initial technological line on June 9, 2021. The plant’s operational capacity was subsequently progressively increased. The third line was operational by the end of 2023, following the introduction of the second line in September 2021. Stable operation of the fourth line commenced in the summer of 2024.
Four technological lines were operational by December 2025, and the fifth line was in the process of being started. As of mid-2025, the complex’s overall construction readiness exceeded 90%. It was anticipated that the fifth line would be completely operational by the end of the year, which would bring the plant closer to achieving its full design capacity in 2026.
Technological Lines and Production Capacity
Six Lines as the Core of the Facility
The project foresees the installation of six gas separation technological lines, each of which is capable of processing up to 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. Together, they offer a total design capacity of 42 billion cubic meters annually, establishing the Amur GPP as one of the largest facilities in the world that specialize in deep gas processing.
Each technological line is equipped with sophisticated cryogenic systems that enable the gradual separation of raw gas into its constituent components. Gas purification and preparation initiate the procedure, which is subsequently followed by low-temperature separation. This enables the extraction of methane, which is converted to commercial dry gas, as well as ethane, propane, butane, and other hydrocarbon constituents.
The plant will be able to process volumes that are beyond the reach of most comparable facilities worldwide once all six lines are completely operational. This modular structure also enables the adjustment of output in accordance with market conditions, thereby providing substantial production flexibility.
Main Products of Processing
From Methane to Helium
The Amur Gas Processing Plant is engineered to extract both fundamental and highly valuable by-products by achieving the maximum depth of gas processing. The main products consist of commercial methane, which is supplied to the gas transmission system and export routes.
The petrochemical industry is in high demand for ethane, which is another critical product. It is planned to be transported to the Amur Gas Chemical Complex for conversion into polyethylene and other polymer materials.
Liquefied petroleum gases, such as propane and butane, are generated in large amounts and are used extensively as both fuel and feedstock for the chemical industry. Furthermore, the facility generates a pentane–hexane fraction that is used in the production of plastic components and solvents.
Helium is one of the most valuable products. A design capacity of up to 60 million cubic meters per year is anticipated for the Amur GPP, which is anticipated to become the world’s largest industrial producer of helium. After the helium is produced, it is transported for export through a logistics center in Vladivostok. This process is conducted at specialized purification and liquefaction units.
Export orientation and strategic role
The Power of Siberia Pipeline as a Key Supply Route
Natural gas is transported to the Amur GPP for processing via the Power of Siberia main gas pipeline from the major fields in Eastern Siberia, such as the Chayandinskoye field in Yakutia and the Kovykta field in the Irkutsk Region. This gas is particularly well-suited for deep processing due to its abundance of ethane and other valuable components.
The facility serves as a critical hub for both domestic gas distribution and export supplies, with a particular emphasis on China, as a result of its integration with this pipeline. The energy cooperation between Russia and its Asian partners is considerably enhanced by the export of commercial methane and other processed products through the Power of Siberia pipeline.
Industrial Infrastructure and Regional Impact
Territory, Workforce, and Supporting Facilities
The Amur Gas Processing Plant occupies a vast expanse of approximately 800 hectares. The stable operation of a large-scale industrial complex necessitates the presence of production units, engineering infrastructure, storage facilities, and auxiliary structures within this territory.
The plant employs approximately 4,700 workers, making it one of the major employers in the region and a significant contributor to economic growth in Russia’s Far East.
Extensive supporting infrastructure has been built in the vicinity of the facility in conjunction with the industrial facilities. This covers residential areas, utility networks, transport connections, and social facilities for employees. Collectively, these components establish a sustainable living and working environment for thousands of specialists in and around the complex.
Integration with the Amur Gas Chemical Complex
Establishing a Deep Processing Cluster
The Amur GPP is instrumental in the creation of a new gas-chemical complex in the Amur Region. The Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a significant petrochemical facility, is supplied with high-quality feedstock, including ethane and liquefied hydrocarbons, produced at the plant.
The main goal of this gas chemical complex is to manufacture polyethylene and other polymer materials from the feedstock obtained from the gas processing facility. The synchronization of these two facilities establishes a vertically integrated chain of deep hydrocarbon processing, which considerably fortifies Russia’s position in the global petrochemical industry.
At the end of 2025, the current status is as follows:
The Start of the Fifth Line
Gazprom intended to finalize the introduction of the fifth technological line of the Amur Gas Processing Plant by the end of 2025, as indicated by September 2025 data. At that time, four lines were already operating at commercial capacity, and the fifth was in the commissioning phase.
By the end of 2025, the sixth technological line was still under construction. It was anticipated that the plant’s design capacity would be fully deployed after 2025, despite the fact that the exact commissioning date had not yet been officially confirmed.
Conclusion: The Importance of the Project for Russia and the World
The Amur Gas Processing Plant is considerably more than an ordinary industrial complex. It is a strategic initiative that integrates sophisticated gas separation technologies, large-scale industrial production, and international gas transportation routes. Russia fortifies its position in global energy markets, expands its gas-chemical industry, and establishes new export niches, notably in the production of helium and other high-value products of deep gas processing, as a result of this facility.