Italian company Eni is in advanced negotiations to finalise a contract for the construction of a second floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in the offshore Rovuma Basin, located in northern Mozambique. This infrastructure forms part of the Coral North field development, recently approved by local authorities, and represents a strategic investment amid strong global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
A strategic contract for Samsung Heavy Industries
According to information reported on April 15 by Mozambican media citing sources close to the matter, South Korean engineering firm Samsung Heavy Industries is a leading contender for the contract, estimated at $2.5bn. This figure exceeds the company’s entire current order book, which was valued at $2.2bn at the beginning of April. Securing this contract would reinforce Samsung’s position in the FLNG market, where it already accounts for nearly half of the global operational units.
The project would also mark a resumption of collaboration between Eni and Samsung Heavy Industries, following their previous joint venture on the Coral Sul floating unit. Commissioned in 2022, Coral Sul has been operational for three years in the same area, where Eni already holds several exploration and production rights.
Expanding Mozambique’s gas production capacity
The Coral North project complements ongoing gas infrastructure developments in Mozambique, a country aiming to become a key player in the global LNG supply chain. This second FLNG unit would support the swift monetisation of the nation’s offshore resources while diversifying export routes and meeting growing gas demand in Asia and Europe.
The Rovuma Basin is now considered one of the region’s most promising reserves, with significant confirmed volumes. Eni, a major operator in this zone, continues to pursue an expansion strategy focused on modular, flexible units aligned with the logistical and technical demands of offshore LNG markets.
