Mozambique rides high in LNG export stakes

The African liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector is booming, with plans to expand the existing capacity by a staggering 69 million metric tons per annum (mtpa). This expansion, in addition to the existing 72 mtpa, is being driven by a combination of factors, including competitive shipping costs and logistical convenience.Paul Eardley-Taylor, head of oil and gas southern Africa at Standard Bank, anticipates that Sub-Saharan LNG (SSLNG) will play a pivotal role in this growth, with natural zones of provision emerging across Africa. Portfolio players and traders are expected to be critical drivers of this supply surge, with the ambitious goal being that the entire African coastline be serviced by this burgeoning industry by 2027.One notable player in this unfolding narrative was Mozambique, said Eardley-Taylor. "The country has found more than 150 trillion cubic feet offshore in northern Cabo Delgado since 2010. This equals 26 billion barrels of oil equivalent."While Mozambique arguably faces some tough challenges, including keeping insurgents away from its gas fields in Pemba and Palma which are currently under force majeure, there is no denying its potential to become one of the world's largest LNG exporters.