By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Government of Mozambique has approved the development plan for the Coral Norte project, a new Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) platform to be installed in Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin, in Cabo Delgado province.
Valued at USD 7.2 billion, the project is expected to produce 3.5 million tonnes of LNG annually over a 30-year period, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028. This will be the second FLNG infrastructure of its kind in the country, led by Italian oil company Eni, in a consortium that also includes ExxonMobil, CNPC, Galp, KOGAS, ADNOC, and Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH).
According to the Government Spokesperson and Minister of State Administration and Public Service, Inocêncio Impissa, who addressed the press following the 11th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, the approval of the decree marks progress toward the second phase of the development of the Coral Norte field.
“The plan constitutes the second phase of the development of the Coral Norte field and consists of a floating LNG production unit with a capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per year and six production wells,” explained the spokesperson, adding that production is expected to start in the second quarter of 2028.
The Coral Norte FLNG will be installed approximately 10 kilometres from the Coral Sul unit, which has been operating as the country’s first FLNG platform since November 2022. Coral Sul has already exported 100 LNG shipments to Britain’s BP Poseidon under a 20-year supply agreement, renewable for another 10 years.
According to the National Petroleum Institute (INP), Coral Norte will be a replica of Coral Sul, whose effectiveness in deep waters has already been proven. The INP estimates that over 25 years of operation, the State will collect around USD 23 billion in tax revenues and other contributions.
The project also includes the supply of natural gas to the domestic market and the monetisation of condensate for industrial use, through ENH. It further foresees the hiring of local labour and the implementation of a Succession Plan aimed at training Mozambican professionals in the energy sector.
The Area 4 Offshore concession of the Rovuma Basin is held by Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV) — a consortium formed by Eni, ExxonMobil, and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which holds a 70% stake. ENH, Portuguese Galp, South Korea’s KOGAS, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) each hold a 10% participating interest.
FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) platforms are offshore floating structures installed directly above gas fields, allowing for extraction, liquefaction, storage, and export to be carried out on-site, with no need for pipelines to the coast. This technology, in addition to being efficient, reduces environmental impact and accelerates implementation timelines. (NM)
