The Mozambique LNG megaproject is around 45% complete, employs nearly 8,000 workers and remains on track to begin production in 2029, despite delays caused by the conflict in the Middle East, according to TotalEnergies.
The update was provided this week during the French energy group’s presentation of its second-quarter 2026 results. TotalEnergies Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné said the project has continued to increase its workforce at the Afungi site in Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, since construction resumed in January.
He said between 7,000 and 8,000 workers are currently engaged in building the project.
“When we compare to the progress curve, we are almost at 45% of completion,” when we compare it with the progress curve, we are almost 45% complete,” he said.
Pouyanné acknowledged that the conflict in the Middle East created logistical challenges for the Mozambican project because some of the equipment was being manufactured in Dubai and other facilities in the region.
“We had to face some tough times to exit all this equipment.,” he said, adding that those problems have now been resolved. “I think it’s done now.”
Despite those delays, TotalEnergies has maintained its timetable for the start-up of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.
The project is on track, “with the target being 2029 for the first train,” Pouyanné said.
Responding to analysts during the same presentation, Pouyanné again identified Mozambique as one of the group’s strategic growth markets, alongside Suriname, Namibia and Malaysia.
“We are building a position in Mozambique,” he said, defending the company’s strategy of geographical diversification.
The Mozambique LNG project, being developed in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, is one of the largest private investments in Africa and is expected to transform Mozambique into one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas.
Mozambique has approved three projects to exploit the natural gas reserves of the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, which are among the largest in the world.
The Coral Sul project, led by Eni, has been the only producing project since 2022. Last October, investment was also approved for the second floating LNG platform, Coral Norte, valued at US$7.2 billion (€6.2 billion), which is expected to double production capacity to seven million tonnes of LNG per year from 2028. A third floating production unit is also under consideration.
After a four-year suspension due to the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, the US$20 billion (€17.4 billion) Mozambique LNG project in Area 1, led by TotalEnergies, officially resumed in January and is expected to produce up to 13 million tonnes of LNG annually from 2029.
The Rovuma LNG project in Area 4, valued at US$30 billion (€26.1 billion), will be led by ExxonMobil as delegated operator. It is expected to have an annual production capacity of 18 million tonnes of LNG after 2030, with a final investment decision scheduled for September.
Source: Lusa
