Mozambique’s government is poised for the resumption of TotalEnergies’ $20-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, though a formal request to lift the force majeure declaration has yet to be received. This was confirmed by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estevão Pale, on Friday in Tokyo, following discussions with Japan’s industry minister, Muto Yoji.
Pale expressed optimism about the project’s revival, echoing TotalEnergies Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne’s recent statement that he expects development to resume “this summer.” The force majeure, in place since 2021 due to insurgent attacks in the Cabo Delgado province, will be formally lifted once the project’s operator determines that conditions are conducive for operations to recommence.
“We, as government, are doing everything that we can to be able to resume the project,” Pale stated, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with all project partners to establish the necessary security conditions. He highlighted a “considerable” improvement in the security situation in the region.
The Mozambique LNG project encompasses the development of the Golfinho and Atum natural gas fields within the Offshore Area 1 concession, alongside the construction of a two-train liquefaction plant. This facility is projected to have an annual capacity of 13.12 million metric tons.
TotalEnergies, the French oil and gas major, leads the consortium as operator with a 26.5% stake. Other key partners include Mitsui & Co with 20%, Mozambique’s state-owned ENH holding 15%, and the remaining ownership distributed among Indian state companies and Thailand’s PTTEP. The impending restart signifies a crucial step towards unlocking Mozambique’s significant natural gas potential and bolstering its economic outlook.
