Mozambique's ambitions to become a major LNG exporter are back in motion, and all eyes are now on ExxonMobil as momentum builds around the long-delayed Rovuma LNG project.
Mozambique’s ambitions to become a major LNG exporter are back in motion, and all eyes are now on ExxonMobil as momentum builds around the long-delayed Rovuma LNG project.
With security conditions in Cabo Delgado showing sustained improvement, ExxonMobil has lifted force majeure on Rovuma LNG - a significant milestone for a development that has been on hold for years.
Market insiders now expect the supermajor operator to accelerate its due-diligence process and move toward a final investment decision (FID) in early 2026. If achieved, first LNG cargoes could sail in the first quarter of 2030.
The renewed optimism follows TotalEnergies’ announcement that work has officially resumed on the 13.1 MMT/Y Mozambique LNG project. The French major halted operations in 2021 after escalating violence forced the joint venture to declare force majeure. That declaration was lifted three months ago, allowing contractors to return to Afungi.
Front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for Rovuma LNG is now in its final stages, positioning the project for an FID in the first half of 2026. According to the
Global LNG Database®, the FEED contract for Phase 1 has been awarded to a consortium led by McDermott, alongside Saipem and China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corp. (CPECC).
JGC and Technip Energies are carrying out parallel FEED work for the project.
The FEED scope covers the modular design of a greenfield LNG production complex at Afungi, including gas pre-treatment facilities, utilities, and all supporting offsite infrastructure. The contract also incorporates preparation of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) proposal, enabling a smoother transition into full project execution once FID is reached.
Phase 1 of Rovuma LNG is planned to deliver 18 MMT/Y, placing it among the world’s largest new LNG projects. The development is owned by Eni East Africa (a joint venture between Eni, ExxonMobil, and CNPC) with 70%, alongside ENH, Kogas, and ADNOC’s XRG, each holding 10%.
If both major LNG projects advance as expected, Mozambique could transform into a global LNG powerhouse by the early 2030s - a shift with significant implications for Asian buyers, European energy security, and long-term LNG market balance.
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