S&P Global Commodity Insights, a technical partner of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), has forecast that natural gas production in the Republic of Congo will more than double by 2027.
Chinese developer Wing Wah’s Banga Kayo and energy giant Eni’s Marine XII FLNG projects will be the main drivers of this production rise, S&P said.
Lucinda Valerie Ross, Senior Technical Research Analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights, announced these insights during a Technical Presentation titled, “Assessing the Role of Deepwater Gas in the Republic of Congo’s Energy Strategy,” at CEIF in Brazzaville on Tuesday.
Ross stated that natural gas production has historically been low in Congo.
In response to increased production, Eni has been able to leverage pre-existing FLNG vessels in a phased approach to achieve first gas last year.
“We need to attract investment to these projects in order to ensure sustained increased production in Congolese gas,” she added.
In 2025, the Marine XII project is expected to generate 2.4 million metric tons of LNG per year.
By 2026, production is anticipated to reach 4.5 billion cubic meters annually, with LNG being used for both export and domestic consumption.
Meanwhile, Italian oil giant Eni recently sold its gas assets in the Republic of the Congo to global energy trader Vitol.
The deal, finalized in March 2025, includes the Congo liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, where Eni holds a 65% stake.
As part of the agreement, Vitol will acquire a 25% interest, aligning with Eni’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and secure additional financing for growth.
Meanwhile, the Banga Kayo permit anticipates a total output of about 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas over a 25-year period.
In order to meet local and regional demand for LNG and LPG, the project will be implemented in four phases, each of which will gradually increase the gas treatment and valorization capacity.
Congo LNG began exporting liquefied gas in February 2024 and currently produces 1 billion cubic meters (BCM) of LNG per year.
Natural gas currently accounts for over 70% of electricity generation in Congo. Meanwhile, natural gas, along with oil production, accounts for 35% of the country’s GDP and 75% of its exports.
