Mozambique NEWS

Mozambique LNG is one of several projects being developed in the country’s northern most province of Cabo Delgado after one of the biggest gas finds in a decade off its coast. Together, the projects are worth some $60 billion. The project includes direct/covered loans from eight credit agencies , 19 commercial banks, and a loan from the African Development Bank. Sealing the Total project financing is a win for Mozambique’s government as it tackles security challenges.

The largest single energy project in Arica received approval recently. The energy firm Anadarko agreed for the construction of a $20 billion gas liquefaction and export terminal in Mozambique. Mozambique falls in the category of the poorest nations and so this project is expected to transform various segments of the nation. According to its government, this project might create more than 5,000 direct jobs and 45,000 indirect jobs.

India's Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) planned to invest $2.2-2.4 billion in the Rovuma Offshore Area-1 gas field in Mozambique. This investment plan has got approval after being scrutinised by the group of ministers. But it is still waiting to get a nod from Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Apart from BPCL, ONGC Videsh and Oil India also have stakes in this field.

E&P major, Anadarko has entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Japan’s JERA and Taiwan’s CPC to supply 1.6 MTPA of LNG. Anadarko will deliver the requisite volume from its Mozambique Area 1 project, over a period of 17 years. The Mozambique Area 1 project is operated by Anadarko, where Mitsui E&P, ENH Rovuma Área Um, ONGC Videsh, Beas Rovuma Energy Mozambique, BPRL Ventures Mozambique and PTTEP are partners.

Qatar Petroleum has inked an agreement to buy ExxonMobil’s10% stakes in three blocks in Mozambique. The ExxonMobil affiliate currently owns 60% interest in the blocks. This is Qatar Petroleum’s first expedition into Mozambique’s offshore basins. ENH and Rosneft’s affiliates are the other stakeholders in the block, with each of them owning 20% interest.

Tokyo Gas and Centrica LNG will buy 2.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Anadarko Petroleum and partners, produced under Mozambique LNG project. The LNG supply to the buyers will continue until the early 2040s. Tokyo Gas and Centrica LNG see this agreement as a means to further their respective portfolios of LNG sources.

Attacks by extremist elements are on a rise in Mocimboa da Praia, Mozambique’s gas-rich northern town. This region is 1,800 km northeast of Maputo, and Palma, where the offshore gas reserves that Eni, ExxonMobil, and Anadarko are developing, is about 80 km north of that. This could threaten a potential $30 billion in investment. Unfortunately, the state institutions are unable to control this situation.

French’s Total has announced the closing of Maersk Oil acquisition and has ramped up to about 160,000 boed in 2018. With this, it has sustained its existing leading position in the U.K. and has managed to enter Denmark subsequently making it the second-largest operator in the North Sea. Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of Total has expressed it as a “success on many levels.”

Government of Mozambique has approved ONGC Videsh (16% stake) and Oil India (4% stake) for the development work of Golfinho-Atum natural gas field. The plan consists of two-train onshore liquefaction plant with total processing capacity of 12.88 million metric tonnes per annum.