TotalEnergies plans to restart its $20 billion Mozambique LNG project this summer, according to CEO Patrick Pouyanné. Suspended since 2021 due to insurgent violence, the project involves gas field development and a two-train liquefaction plant. With international backing, it aims to produce 13.12 million tonnes of LNG annually, revitalizing Mozambique’s energy sector.
TotalEnergies is set to resume development of its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique during the summer of 2025, as confirmed by CEO Patrick Pouyanné on June 18, according to several media reports. Speaking at the Japan Energy Summit in Tokyo, Pouyanné responded to inquiries regarding the timeline of the long-delayed project, saying that the company anticipates restarting construction and development activities in the coming months.
The Mozambique LNG project, one of the most significant energy ventures in Africa, has been under force majeure since 2021. The suspension was a result of escalating insurgent violence in the Cabo Delgado province, where militant attacks near the project site raised serious safety concerns. This led TotalEnergies and its partners to halt all on-the-ground operations and withdraw personnel until security could be stabilized.
Despite these challenges, the project remains a cornerstone of Mozambique's ambitions to become a major player in the global LNG market. The development plan includes the extraction of natural gas from the Golfinho and Atum fields located in the Offshore Area 1 concession. In addition to upstream development, the project entails the construction of a two-train liquefaction plant, which will convert the extracted gas into LNG. The plant is designed to have a production capacity of 13.12 million metric tonnes per annum, positioning Mozambique as a significant LNG exporter.
TotalEnergies holds a 26.5% operating interest in the Mozambique LNG project and leads a consortium of international stakeholders. Japanese trading conglomerate Mitsui & Co. owns a 20% stake, while Mozambique's national oil company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), holds a 15% share. Other partners include Indian state-owned companies and Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), demonstrating the global investment interest in this high-potential venture.
The project’s anticipated resumption is seen as a positive signal for Mozambique’s energy sector and broader economy. It suggests renewed confidence in the region’s security and stability, which had been significantly undermined by the insurgency. Moreover, the development is expected to generate thousands of jobs, support local communities, and bring in substantial government revenues through exports.
The revival of the Mozambique LNG project also holds broader geopolitical implications, as countries around the world seek to diversify energy sources in response to supply shocks and geopolitical instability. If the project resumes as expected this summer, it will mark a major step forward in advancing energy security, fostering regional development, and reinforcing TotalEnergies’ commitment to long-term investment in Africa.
