The contract award for the Area 4 block, located off the coast of Mozambique, comes just a month after the operator launched the tender process. This marks the final step before the project’s Final Investment Decision (FID), which is expected to be reached in approximately 16 months.
Strategic Importance in Energy Transition
Farhan Mujib, Representative Director and President of JGC Corporation, emphasized the project’s alignment with global decarbonization efforts and energy security goals. He stated, “With the global focus on decarbonization and energy security, the JGC Group is accelerating the promotion of energy transition, and this project is firmly in line with the direction of our strategy. We are convinced this project of national significance will contribute to enhancing economic and industrial growth in Mozambique and East Africa.”
Rovuma Gas Basin Development
The project is situated in the Rovuma supergiant gas basin, encompassing multiple LNG developments. This includes the operational Coral Sul FLNG facility, delivered by Technip to Eni in January, the planned Coral North FLNG project, and the onshore Rovuma LNG facilities. Both Coral North and Rovuma LNG are anticipated to reach project sanctioning in 2024/25.
Stakeholder Involvement
Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV) holds a 70% stake in the Area 4 concession, with additional 10% interests held by KOGAS, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), and ADNOC, which recently acquired Galp’s share in May. This diverse partnership highlights the project’s global and regional significance.
Mario Tommaselli, Senior Vice President of Gas and Low Carbon Energies at Technip Energies, commented, “By leveraging our expertise in modularization and electrified LNG, we are committed to supporting ExxonMobil and its partners towards the final investment decision, as well as strengthening our presence in Mozambique to contribute to long-term economic growth and its ambition to become one of Africa’s leading LNG exporters.”
Future LNG Production and Design Innovation
The Area 4 project is set to feature an LNG plant with a total production capacity of 18 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), comprising 12 trains of 1.5 mtpa each. Notably, the facility will utilize electric-driven LNG trains instead of conventional gas turbines, significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Following liquefaction, the gas will be exported to global markets, further cementing Mozambique’s role as a key player in the international LNG market.
JGC’s Broader LNG Portfolio
In addition to the Mozambique project, JGC Corporation is advancing other LNG initiatives, including an export terminal in Kitimat, Canada. The project recently reached a milestone with the introduction of natural gas to the facility, marking progress toward operational readiness. The first shipments of LNG from Kitimat are expected by mid-2025.
This new contract reinforces the French-Japanese duo’s commitment to developing sustainable energy infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and advancing Mozambique’s ambition to become a leading LNG exporter in Africa.