TotalEnergies is set to restart its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in Mozambique, with construction expected to resume during the summer months, company CEO Patrick Pouyanne announced on Wednesday.
Pouyanne shared the update during a panel discussion at the Japan Energy Summit in Tokyo. He confirmed that preparations are underway for the long-awaited recommencement of the major project, which had been suspended under force majeure since 2021 due to security concerns.
The Mozambique LNG project, one of the most significant energy investments in Africa, was halted following a series of insurgent attacks in the Cabo Delgado region, where the facility is located. Despite the challenges, the project remains a cornerstone of Mozambique’s economic strategy, promising substantial revenue and employment opportunities once operational.
The development involves the extraction of gas from the Golfinho and Atum fields located in the Offshore Area 1 concession. In addition to upstream operations, the project includes the construction of a two-train liquefaction plant designed to process and export natural gas. Upon completion, the facility will have a production capacity of 13.12 million metric tons per year, making it one of the largest LNG projects on the continent.
TotalEnergies leads the consortium with a 26.5% operating stake. Other major stakeholders include Japan’s Mitsui & Co, holding 20%, and Mozambique’s state-owned oil and gas company ENH, with a 15% share. The remaining interests are held by a group of Indian state-owned enterprises and Thailand’s PTTEP.
The anticipated restart signals renewed confidence in the project’s security and viability. It also reflects the broader push by energy companies to tap into Africa’s vast natural gas reserves as global demand continues to rise.