American energy giant ExxonMobil said that it has lifted force majeure and resumed development on its $30 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project tied to the Rovuma Basin, which has been delayed for years because of a militant insurgency.
The company made the disclosure on Thursday, according to a report by Reuters.
A spokesperson of the company said it was now working with its partners and the government of Mozambique to ensure the safety of employees and facilities.
Known officially as the Rovuma LNG Project and located in Area 4, the Mozambican gas project is a joint venture led by ExxonMobil (25% stake) alongside Eni and CNPC.
It involves the construction of a large onshore LNG plant designed to produce 15.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.
However, the project was suspended in 2021 after an escalation in jihadist insurgency in Cabo Delgado resulted in the declaration of force majeure by ExxonMobil.
This followed a similar action by TotalEnergies on its separate LNG project due to security concerns as both companies’ projects share some facilities.
But with the lifting of the hiatus, ExxonMobil plans to make a final investment decision on the project in 2026, with first gas targeted for 2030.
What has changed between then and now?
The resumption of the gas project by ExxonMobil is attributed to improved security in Palma, near the project site in Cabo Delgado.
Regional military support from the Rwandan Defence Force and troops from the Southern African Development Community have bolstered Mozambique’s army in Cabo Delgado, pushing back Islamist insurgents and reclaiming territory.
President Daniel Chapo, who took office in early 2025, has prioritized consolidating fragile stability in the north and restoring investor confidence.
These measures have motivated a number of foreign majors like ExxonMobil, Eni and TotalEnergies to move forward with their respective multi-billion-dollar gas ventures.
Eni moved forward with Coral Norte
After months of delay, Italian energy giant Eni recently sanctioned the $7.2 billion Coral Norte LNG project in offshore Mozambique – its second major gas project after Coral Sul was brought online in 2022.
Coral Norte is designed to tap gas from the Rovuma Basin and will produce 3.55 million metric tons of LNG annually when completed in 2028.
The project is being developed by Eni in partnership with ExxonMobil, CNPC, Galp Energia, Kogas, and Mozambique’s national oil company ENH.
Its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work is led by a consortium including Samsung Heavy Industries, JGC, and Technip Energies.
Unlike ExxonMobil’s onshore gas project, Eni’s Coral Norte – and even Coral Sul – is offshore, which offers it less exposure to security breaches.
TotalEnergies lifts hiatus massive LNG project
TotalEnergies in late October also resumed work on its massive $15 billion LNG venture after a four-year hiatus that has seen its budget inflated by over $4 billion.
The French company had earlier stated that it would not resume operations until there was “a strong alignment between the Mozambican government and investors,” stressing that a peaceful environment was essential for moving forward.
TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanne confirmed the project can still deliver first gas by 2029 once the local government grants its new approvals.
The project will be financed through a $14.9 billion senior debt as well as with a $4.7 billion loan secured from the US Eximbank in March.
These gas projects mean a lot for the poor Southern African economy as they signal a big leap toward long-term economic growth and gas-driven industrialisation.
