Two-month stoppage of Angolan LNG exports this week

The fourth shipment of liquid natural gas (LNG) produced by Angola LNG is due to take place this week ahead of an expected two-month stoppage due to begin on September 29, according to company sources, reports financial news agency Reuters. The stoppage, to carry out maintenance work after small gas leaks were discovered, has been delayed several times after initially being scheduled for September 13, in order to provide more time for the project’s performance to be evaluated. The factory, which required investment of US$10 billion, had to reach 75% of its production capacity before maintenance began, but is now operating at just 50% capacity, according to the sources. The factory has so far exported three LNG shipments to Brazil, China and Japan. US company Chevron operates the project and has a 36.4% stake in it, whilst Angolan state company Sonangol owns 22.8%, and Total, BP and ENU each own 13.6%.