French energy major TotalEnergies and its project partners have formally lifted the force-majeure status on the $20 billion “Mozambique LNG” project located in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, marking a significant step toward resuming construction.
The project, originally expected to come online by 2024, is now aiming for production in 2029, following a four-year suspension triggered by militant attacks in 2021.
TotalEnergies, which holds a 26.5 % operating stake, said the restart remains contingent on Mozambique’s Council of Ministers approving an updated budget and schedule.
According to the company, the cost of the project has risen by at least US $4 billion due to the delay and enhanced security measures.
Long-term offtake agreements are in place, with nearly 90 % of the future output already contracted to global buyers including China’s CNOOC, France’s EDF, and Shell.
Once operational, the facility plans to produce approximately 13 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year, positioning Mozambique as a rising force in the global LNG market.
With security conditions improving in the region and major financing having been secured, the restart of Mozambique LNG could deliver significant economic benefits for the country and reinforce TotalEnergies’ upstream gas portfolio.
