ExxonMobil’s recent award of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract for the Rovuma LNG project marks a pivotal step forward for the onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) megaproject in Mozambique. This development signifies ExxonMobil’s commitment to advancing the project, which is set to be developed on a modular basis, streamlining construction and reducing risk. A notable aspect of the design is that the liquefaction process will be powered by electricity, rather than traditional gas turbines. This approach not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also underscores the project’s substantial power generation needs, which will likely involve significant infrastructure to ensure a stable electricity supply.
The Rovuma LNG project, led by a joint venture of ExxonMobil, Eni, and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), is designed to produce 18 million tonnes per year (Mtpa) of LNG, making it one of the largest such projects in the world. The modularization of the liquefaction trains, with each train expected to produce 1.5 Mtpa, allows for flexibility in scaling up the operation and managing costs.
In parallel, there are promising signs that work on the nearby Mozambique LNG (MLNG) project, operated by TotalEnergies, may also resume later this year. The MLNG project, with a planned capacity of 15.2 million tonnes per year, had been halted due to security concerns in the region but is now poised to re-enter the development phase. If resumed, the MLNG project will complement the Rovuma LNG initiative, further solidifying Mozambique’s position as a major global player in the LNG sector.
Together, these projects represent a significant boost for Mozambique’s energy sector, attracting substantial foreign investment, creating jobs, and potentially transforming the country’s economic landscape. With both Rovuma LNG and MLNG progressing, Mozambique is on track to become one of the leading LNG exporters globally, offering energy security to international markets while supporting local economic growth.