ExxonMobil advances in gas megaproject and has already chosen two companies

A award was announced by ExxonMobil, on behalf of Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV), which represents the partners of Area 4, stating that CFML Logistics – the state-owned Mozambican Railways – was selected to provide services associated with the land and infrastructure of the logistics base of the Pemba Granel Terminal, while Alistair Group Mozambique will be responsible for services related to logistical operations supporting the drilling campaign of Area 4 and offshore operations.

Cited in the statement, the chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of ExxonMobil Mozambique, Johanna Boothey, said that the awards demonstrate “the strong commitment to local content”, adding that contracts should contribute to the development of national capabilities and the creation of lasting value in the country.

It added that contracts should also support the development of long-term port infrastructure in Pemba, in the province of Cabo Delgado, with the potential to benefit other sectors of the economy beyond the oil and gas industry. In parallel, ExxonMobil announced the signing of letters of intent with Saipem and Jan de Nul for the provision of engineering, supply and technical support services in the ‘upstream’ segment of the project.

The work should allow for further detailed planning of the development of the underwater infrastructure necessary for the production of natural gas in Area 4.

According to the statement, the ‘upstream’ segment includes 18 wells and a network of underwater pipelines, at a stage that runs as the partners advance to the final investment decision, scheduled for this year. The international consortium was chosen due to experience in engineering projects, construction and installation of underwater infrastructure in deep water.

The new awards arise a few weeks after ExxonMobil announced pre-investment contracts valued at USD 1.1 billion (EUR 947 million) for the purchase and manufacture of equipment considered critical for the development of Rovuma LNG, involving engineering, acquisition and manufacturing of underwater production systems, large-diameter valves and offshore pipelines, in an indication that partners are accelerating preparations for the FID, scheduled for this year.

Also in August, the US oil company hired the Greeks from Corinth Pipeworks to provide approximately 250 kilometres of pipelines for the project’s underwater gas transport network, in a contract valued between 200 million and 250 million dollars (172 million and 215 million euros).

The Rovuma LNG is led by ExxonMobil, as a delegate operator of Area 4, in partnership with ENH, CNPC, Eni, KOGAS and XRG. The project is valued at around 20 billion dollars (€17.2 billion), which Mozambican President Daniel Chapo classified in July as the largest private investment planned for the African continent.

The development provides for the construction of 12 liquefaction modules, with combined capacity to produce 18.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year, with the start of operations aimed at 2031.

According to ExxonMobil, Rovuma LNG has the potential to generate around US$6,000 million (€5.2 billion) of economic activity in Mozambique and create opportunities for around 7,500 Mozambican workers during construction.

ExxonMobil lifted in November 2025 the declaration of force majeure that had suspended the project since the 2021 armed attacks in Cabo Delgado.

Mozambique currently has three major projects approved to exploit the Rovuma basin reserves, including TotalEnergies, which plans to start exports of Area 1 in 2029, while Italian Eni has been producing since 2022 through the Southern Coral floating platform and plans to expand activity from 2028 with the North Coral project.