Top 5 LNG Projects Driving Gas Project Sanctioning in Africa

LNG. Gas
Mozambique: Area 1 LNG Trains 1 & 2

TotalEnergies is developing a $20 billion project in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, offshore Mozambique.  With 65 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas in the prospect, the two-train development will deliver up to 43 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG, significantly improving domestic energy security while supplying regional markets such as South Africa and international markets such as Asia with high-demand LNG. Despite TotalEnergies declaring force majeure in April 2021, the company is engaging with the government as well as relevant parties to resume project development, with project start-up estimated in 2026/27.

Mozambique: Area 4 LNG Trains 1 & 2

With its 85 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas, the Rovuma Area 4 LNG project in Mozambique is expected to transform the country’s energy landscape, positioning the southern African country into a global LNG exporter. Eni responsible for the construction and operation of upstream facilities and ExxonMobil for the LNG and associated facilities for the deepwater Area 4 Block, with the 15.2 mtpa project comprising two liquefaction trains with a capacity of 7.6 mtpa each. To date, ExxonMobil is looking at resuming the final investment decision (FID) process in order to meet targets of project approval by 2024 and first production by 2029.  

Mauritania: BirAllah LNG Hub

Amid the European gas rush, British major bp is reported to be fast-tracking a feasibility study for the development of the BirAllah LNG Hub, comprising 50 tcf of recoverable gas offshore Mauritania. With the project predicted to secure approval in 2030 and start producing by 2035, Rystad Energy has listed the initiative as one of Africa’s top LNG projects that will drive gas sanctioning in the near future.

Nigeria: NLNG Train 7

Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Train 7 is an expansion project in Nigeria that will increase the capacity of NLNG’s current six-train LNG plant by 35%, from 22 mtpa to 30 mtpa. Following FID made in 2019 and project inauguration by H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, in June 2021, the project is progressing towards being operational by 2024. In addition to meeting local demand, the expansion project will improve LNG exports, maximizing Nigeria’s 200 tcf of reserves.

Tanzania: LNG T1 (Block 1 and 4)

Operated by Shell, the Tanzania LNG project is expected to be approved in 2026 with first production anticipated by 2031. The project is a result of Shell’s exploration campaign in Tanzania’s Block 1 and 4 which comprised 22 wells being drilled and 23 tcf of gas discovered. Not only will the project enhance revenue generation for the government, with Tanzania set to receive more than 50% of the project income, but will improve local energy security, industrialization and job creation while enabling exports for international markets.

While LNG developments in Mozambique, Mauritania, Nigeria and Tanzania continue to drive gas project sanctioning in Africa, a number of other projects including Greater Tortue Ahmeyim in Senegal/Mauritania; Fortuna floating LNG (FLNG) in Equatorial Guinea; Coral FLNG in Mozambique; Brulpadda in South Africa; and Yakaar-Terenga LNG in Senegal have and continue to position the continent as a global gas economy.

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Energy Capital & Power is the African continent’s leading investment platform for the energy sector. Through a series of events, online content and investment reports, we unite the entire energy value chain – from oil and gas exploration to renewable power – and facilitate global and intra-African investment and collaboration.
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