ExxonMobil has officially lifted the force majeure on its Rovuma liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, marking a pivotal moment for one of Africa’s largest energy developments. The suspension, which began in 2021 following attacks by Islamic State-affiliated militants in the northeastern region, had stalled progress on the massive project for four years.
The lifting of force majeure clears the path for Exxon to make a final investment decision on the project, expected next year. An Exxon spokesman confirmed the company is now working closely with partners and the Mozambican government to ensure the safety of personnel and facilities as they move forward with developing what they describe as a “world-class LNG project” capable of driving significant economic growth.
During the suspension period, Exxon refined the project’s design, increasing its planned production capacity from 15.2 million tons to 18 million tons of gas annually. The project’s partners include China National Petroleum Corp., ADNOC, Korea Gas Corp., and Eni SpA.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has worked with Rwandan troops to stabilize the Cabo Delgado region, calling it “relatively stable” and urging energy companies to resume operations. The move follows TotalEnergies’ decision to end its own force majeure on a separate $20 billion LNG plant nearby last month.
Both projects are expected to come online by the early 2030s, potentially transforming Mozambique from one of the world’s poorest nations into an energy export powerhouse. Exxon CEO Darren Woods indicated the company is positioned to advance rapidly following the force majeure lift, stating they had used the delay to develop what they believe is the best project concept.
Source: worldoil.com