The consortium led by France's TotalEnergies has decided to end a suspension of work on a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique that began in 2021 after jihadist attacks. The company announced on Saturday that it would lift the force majeure status, though Mozambique's government must approve the move before operations resume. President Daniel Chapo received notification of the decision on Friday.
The Mozambique LNG project represents Africa's largest private energy infrastructure investment and could make the nation a major global LNG exporter. Jihadists attacked the project site near the Tanzanian border in March 2021, killing about 800 people and prompting the work stoppage. The United Nations reported 633 civilian attacks this year, despite no similar large-scale incidents since then.
TotalEnergies holds a 26.5 percent stake as lead partner in the consortium. The group has stated LNG deliveries could begin four years after restarting operations. ExxonMobil's decision on its separate Rovuma LNG project depends on TotalEnergies resuming work, according to the American company's Mozambique operations chief in September.
The Mozambique LNG project represents Africa's largest private energy infrastructure investment and could make the nation a major global LNG exporter. Jihadists attacked the project site near the Tanzanian border in March 2021, killing about 800 people and prompting the work stoppage. The United Nations reported 633 civilian attacks this year, despite no similar large-scale incidents since then.
TotalEnergies holds a 26.5 percent stake as lead partner in the consortium. The group has stated LNG deliveries could begin four years after restarting operations. ExxonMobil's decision on its separate Rovuma LNG project depends on TotalEnergies resuming work, according to the American company's Mozambique operations chief in September.
