Exxon Mobil (XOM) said Thursday it has lifted force majeure on the Rovuma liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique as security concerns ease, a crucial step toward making a final investment decision on the project, which is expected next year.
The force majeure was put in place after Islamic militants carried out an attack near Rovuma LNG’s operations in northeastern Mozambique in 2021; TotalEnergies also recently lifted its own 2021 force majeure on its separate Mozambique LNG project due to security concerns in the country.
Exxon (XOM) used the delay to refine Rovuma’s design to boost production to as much as 18 million metric tons/year of gas from the original 15.2 million tons/year; partners in the project include China National Petroleum Corp., Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., Korea Gas Corp. and Italian energy company Eni (E).
The Rovuma LNG project is expected to become operational in the early 2030s.