Liquefied Natural Gas is emerging, the flexibility of export options makes it a sought-after alternative worldwide. Natural Gas is one of the cleanest, safest, and most useful forms of energy, providing the world with over 20% of its energy requirements across power generation, industry and transport applications. In Africa, the supply and use have been relatively low when compared to the rest of the world, consequently, the meaningful addition of natural gas to the continent’s energy mix will surely rejuvenate an overburdened, out-dated energy infrastructure and reduce cyclical energy shortfalls.
Mozambique houses an enormous amount of offshore natural gas resources, Italian energy major Eni, Exxon Mobil and partners have located an estimated 85 trillion cubic feet of Natural Gas recourses in Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin (Area 4). The Mozambique government have since received the development plans and is scheduled to commence processing by 2024.
As the operator of the Area 4 block, Mozambique Rovuma Venture is leading the charge towards Mozambique’s positive future as a significant LNG exporter.
The Coral floating LNG project envisions using an FLNG vessel with the capacity to export 3.4 million metric tons of LNG per year, the project has already received a positive final investment decision. Floating LNG vessels are capable of handling gas production, processing, liquefaction, and loading activities all on one vessel.
“Following the final investment decision on Coral South FLNG in 2017, we are working together to develop the remaining gas fields which will feed the Rovuma LNG trains.” Massimo Mantovani, Eni chief gas and LNG marketing and power officer
Significant marketing progress has been made and the joint venture partners are in active negotiations on securing sales and purchase deals for Rovuma LNG. These commitments will enable the project participants to progress to a final investment decision which is expected in 2019.
“The size of the project makes it not only an important investment in the country but also supports economic growth and opens new opportunities for Mozambicans,” Stefano Maione, Eni’s executive vice-president for the Mozambique program
ExxonMobil’s unit, ExxonMobil Moçambique Limitada will lead construction and operation of liquefaction trains and related onshore facilities for the Rovuma LNG project, while Eni Rovuma Basin will lead upstream developments and operations. The initial phase of the Rovuma LNG project will develop the Mamba reservoirs in Area 4. This is the beginning of a new dawn for the LNG market in Africa.
