The LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) project in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has resumed pipeline construction after a halt of more than five years, it is reported. The TotalEnergies-led project, which had been suspended since declaring force majeure in April 2021, has reportedly restarted construction with a target of first LNG production in the second quarter of 2029.
The resumed construction involves laying five gas pipelines across a 17.7km stretch within Palma Bay, connecting offshore gas fields to the onshore LNG liquefaction plant at Afungi, it is reported. The pipelay vessel Stingray has been deployed for the work, with approximately 4,000 personnel mobilized on site. Deepwater tie-in is reportedly targeted for completion in the second quarter of 2027.
Total project investment is reported at approximately $20 billion. The Palma Bay pipeline work spans 17.7km across five lines, with deepwater tie-in targeted for Q2 2027 and first LNG production targeted for 2029.
The Mozambique LNG project is one of Africa’s largest LNG development undertakings, and the resumption of construction after a prolonged halt due to local security concerns is regarded as a milestone in the project’s restart, it is reported.
Cases of major LNG projects resuming after prolonged halts due to geopolitical or security risks offer relevant lessons for other resource development projects exposed to similar risks, with supply chain and workforce remobilization capability cited as a key factor in successful restarts.