EXXONMOBIL has announced a delay in the final investment decision (FID) for its Rovuma liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in northern Mozambique, now pushing the timeline to 2026. This revised target postpones the project’s go-ahead by approximately three months from the company’s previous projection of late 2025.
Despite the delay, ExxonMobil reported ongoing progress on the multi-billion-dollar project, which has faced setbacks due to security concerns in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region. The project remains under force majeure, yet the company expects LNG production to commence by 2030, according to an official spokesperson.
‘We are working closely with the Government of Mozambique and anticipate that the security environment will stabilise, allowing us to proceed as planned,’ the spokesperson told Reuters.
Developed in partnership with Italian energy firm Eni, the Rovuma LNG project focuses on the production of 18 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG from offshore Area 4. Once operational, this will significantly enhance Mozambique’s role as an emerging LNG exporter, supplying gas to a global market facing heightened demand.
The revised timeline reflects cautious optimism within ExxonMobil, as the company seeks stability in the region while progressing with its substantial LNG ambitions. The delay marks another adjustment in Mozambique’s ambitions to become a key player in the LNG sector, though the project’s eventual completion could transform both Mozambique’s economy and Africa’s position in global energy markets.
Credit: Reuters
