The export of liquefied natural gas, LNG, generated in Mozambique‘s north, which is frequently the target of insurgents attacks, has been authorised.
The declaration was made on Sunday by President Filipe Nyusi. It is the first gas transport made as part of a long-term contract with British juggernaut BP. Italian energy company Eni is in charge of the offshore facility that is situated in the province of Cabo delgado.
“It is with great honor that I announce the start of the first export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), produced in the Rovuma, in Mozambique, by the Coral Sul FLNG Project. The British Sponsor ship departs Mozambican waters for the international market.”
Huge natural gas deposits, the largest ever found in Sub-Saharan Africa, were found in the northern Cabo Delgado province in 2010, and Mozambique has high expectations for them.
“The completion of this international venture is a sign of the recognition by the market that Mozambique offers a stable, transparent and predictable environment for the realisation of multi-billion investments, where high technology stands out in order to monetize resources in a phase of energy transition, therefore it must bring pride to all Mozambicans.”
Mozambique may be among the top ten exporters in the world once its potential is realised. Africa has more than 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, according to the BP 2021 Statistical Review of World Energy. Leaders want to promote plans for industrialisation through the production of LNG for both domestic and international consumption.
Large natural gas reserves, the largest ever discovered south of the Sahara, were found in the northern Cabo Delgado province in 2010, and Mozambique has great expectations for them.
According to estimates, Mozambique might rank among the top 10 exporters in the world once all of the gas reserves are exploited.
But since then, the area has been plagued by a violent insurgency supported by the Islamic State that has slowed development and raised questions about the sustainability of LNG exploration sites.
The only one of three massive projects in the area with a majority of Muslims that is on schedule is Eni’s Coral Sul. Due to the disturbance, the other two, run by TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, have been suspended.