{"id":9178,"date":"2020-09-21T08:15:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T08:15:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oilnewskenya.com\/?p=9178"},"modified":"2020-09-21T08:15:38","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T08:15:38","slug":"mozambique-lng-project-could-be-transformational-for-mozambique-if-western-environmentalists-dont-interfere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/mozambique-lng-project-could-be-transformational-for-mozambique-if-western-environmentalists-dont-interfere\/","title":{"rendered":"Mozambique LNG Project Could Be Transformational for Mozambique – If Western Environmentalists Don\u2019t Interfere"},"content":{"rendered":"

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber<\/em><\/p>\n

When Anadarko Petroleum Corp. confirmed last year it would be constructing a $20 billion liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Mozambique, this was major news. Mozambique\u2019s first onshore LNG plant would be creating tens of thousands of jobs –\u00a0and contributing to sustainable, long-term economic growth that would impact millions of people.<\/p>\n

Two additional LNG projects have been announced since then: the $4.7 billion Coral FLNG Project by ENI and ExxonMobil, and the $30 billion Rovuma LNG Project by ExxonMobil, ENI, and the China National Petroleum Corporation. While these two have been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the original LNG Mozambique project has been moving forward.<\/p>\n

French oil major Total acquired the project and finalized project funding in July, even in the face of recent terror attacks in northern Mozambique\u2019s Cabo Delgado province, where Total\u2019s LNG plant will be constructed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so disheartening to learn that a UK-based environmental group is pursuing actions that could jeopardize the project\u2019s timely progression, all in the name of preventing climate change. Friends of the Earth has said it will initiate a legal challenge against the UK\u2019s decision to provide $1 billion in funding for the Mozambique LNG project.<\/p>\n

Never mind the project\u2019s importance to everyday Africans. Never mind its potential to grow and diversify the economy. Never mind that projects like this are just what Mozambique needs to address its energy poverty, or that the Mozambique government has invested considerable time and resources into making this LNG project possible.<\/p>\n

This is not the first time that not so well informed radical activist have attempted to interfere with Africa\u2019s energy industry in ways that do not help poor Africans but serve their own interest. International organizations, including the World Bank, and private investors, under pressure by environmental groups, have been dropping support for African fossil fuel production. A lot of poor people are suffering from this and hundreds of millions more will if we to change direction.<\/p>\n

I find it stunning that, during a time when much of the world is talking about the need to respect black perspectives, environmental groups seem to have no qualms about dismissing African voices.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve said in the past, I agree that climate change should be taken seriously. And I understand the risks it poses to Africa. The thing is, why are non-African organizations trying to dictate how African countries address those risks? The message in this case seems to be that \u201cthey know best.\u201d That idea is insulting, and interfering with an African country\u2019s efforts to build up its economy \u2013 simply because fossil fuels are involved \u2013 is completely unacceptable.<\/p>\n

A \u2018Missed Opportunity?\u2019 Really?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is one of eight export credit agencies to provide funding for Total\u2019s Mozambique LNG project, which includes the construction of a two-train liquefaction plant with a capacity of 12.9 million tonnes per year.<\/p>\n

UKEF\u2019s $1 billion commitment includes awarding $300 million in loans to British companies working on the gas project and guaranteeing loans from commercial banks worth up to $850 million. The UK\u2019s parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for International Trade, Graham Stuart, has pointed out that Total\u2019s LNG project could be transformational for Mozambique and create 2,000 jobs in the UK as well.<\/p>\n

But Friends of the Earth has said they will seek a judicial review into the UK government\u2019s decision to help finance a project that, as they put it, will \u201cworsen the climate emergency.\u201d The group\u2019s director, Jamie Peters, also expressed his disappointment in a letter to the UK government. The UKEF\u2019s funding decision, Peters said, represents a \u201clost opportunity\u201d for the UK to be a world climate leader.<\/p>\n

My question to Mr. Peters is, what about Mozambique\u2019s opportunities? To help everyday people improve their lives? To earn a decent living? To have a reliable source of energy? I\u2019m talking about an opportunity to nudge the average life expectancy in Mozambique above 59 years, where it stands now.<\/p>\n

The Mozambique LNG project is poised to make those things possible. As far as I\u2019m concerned, losing that opportunity would devastating.<\/p>\n

What Mozambique Stands to Gain<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t overstate the far-reaching implications and potential that Total\u2019s Mozambique LNG project represents for local businesses, communities, and individuals.<\/p>\n

Total estimates that its plant will generate about $50 billion in revenue for Mozambique\u2019s government during its first 25 years in operation. That revenue can be directed toward much-needed infrastructure, educational programs, and economic diversification programs.<\/p>\n

Consider direct foreign investment in Mozambique: Total\u2019s US$25 billion investment in the LNG plant is more than twice Mozambique\u2019s current GDP.<\/p>\n

How about the plant construction project? Not only will it generate tens of thousands of local jobs, but it also will provide training opportunities for local people. Indigenous companies will be contracted to provide goods and services.<\/p>\n

This pattern will continue once the plant is operational. Locals can train for and take a wide range of positions, including professional and leadership roles. Over time, subject matter experts who can share their knowledge in Mozambique, and with other African companies, will be cultivated. And, once again, the plant will be looking to local companies to provide products and services.<\/p>\n

LNG Can \u2018Em-power\u2019 Mozambique<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to these far-reaching economic opportunities, the LNG produced at the plant will provide affordable energy for Mozambique.<\/p>\n

The need is urgent. Only about 29% of the population has access to electricity today. Medical care is hindered. Education is impacted. And sustainable economic growth is an uphill climb.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, I praised the government of Mozambique for negotiating for part of the LNG production to be diverted to the domestic market, meaning it can be used for power generation. Since then, the government secured financing for a 400MW gas-fired power plant and transmission line to Maputo, the country\u2019s capital, which will dramatically improve power reliability there.<\/p>\n

By the way, when the Mozambique government ensured that some of the plant\u2019s LNG production would be available for domestic use, it also laid the foundation for monetization and economic diversification. In Mozambique, LNG will be available to serve as feedstock for fertilizer and petrochemical plants. It can be exported by pipeline to neighboring companies. And that, in turn, can help Mozambique build even more infrastructure and contribute to even greater widespread prosperity.<\/p>\n

Mozambique Has Been Working for This<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019d also like to point out the thought and preparation that the Mozambique government has put into making its natural gas operations beneficial for the country as a whole since approximately 180 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves were discovered there in 2010.<\/p>\n

Mozambique\u2019s national oil company, ENH, hired global energy research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie to help it prepare for the responsibility of managing and selling its corresponding portion of the resources. Since then, ENH formed a consortium with international oil and gas trader, Vitol.<\/p>\n

The government also has sought the support of more experienced energy producers and international partners. Earlier this year, President Filipe Nyusi met with Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and signed an agreement for support on natural gas resource management.<\/p>\n

But even before that, Mozambique laid the foundation for a successful oil and gas industry with the new Petroleum Law of 2014. And with that legislation in place, the country completed a successful bidding round for exploration blocks. These efforts, along with careful negotiations with international oil companies, is what brought Mozambique to where it is today: on the cusp of becoming a major LNG producer. And these efforts are what will make Mozambique\u2019s LNG industry a success, not just in terms of government revenue, but also in improving the lives of everyday people.<\/p>\n

We Must Put People First<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mozambique is not asking for aid to lift its people out of poverty. It\u2019s attempting to capitalize on its own natural resources. The government isn\u2019t trying to make a quick buck. It\u2019s working to lay a foundation for long-term growth. And efforts like the Exxon and Total Mozambique Projects are more than an opportunity for international oil companies, or even Mozambique\u2019s government. They have the potential to improve the lives of millions of everyday people.<\/p>\n

I recognize the need to protect our planet and prevent climate change. But interfering with financing for Africa\u2019s fossil fuel projects is not the right path. We must not dismiss the value of projects like these or their ability to make meaningful changes for the better in Mozambique. And we must not put environmental ideals ahead of the pressing needs that are facing people right now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber When Anadarko Petroleum Corp. confirmed last year it would be constructing a $20 billion liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Mozambique, this … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":9179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7442,7443,7445,11],"tags":[7383,147,5126,457,473,8468,766,768,860,8469,1428,1636,6104,7366,2267,2533,7906,7907,2678,2742],"class_list":["post-9178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-countries","category-eastern-africa","category-southern-africa","category-top-news","tag-africa-energy-chamber","tag-anadarko","tag-cabo-delgado-province","tag-china-national-petroleum-corporation","tag-climate-change","tag-coral-flng","tag-enh","tag-eni","tag-exxonmobil","tag-friends-of-the-earth","tag-lng","tag-mozambique","tag-nj-ayuk","tag-rovuma-lng","tag-security","tag-total","tag-uk-export-finance","tag-ukef","tag-vitol","tag-wood-mackenzie","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/e366e81a865a4f522096c1f1236023a2.jpg?fit=800%2C401&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5JWkQ-2o2","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12366,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/mozambique-first-gas-introduced-to-coral-sul-flng-from-coral-south-field\/","url_meta":{"origin":9178,"position":0},"title":"MOZAMBIQUE: First Gas Introduced to Coral-Sul FLNG from Coral South Field","author":"","date":"June 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Italian energy major Eni has announced first gas to the Coral-Sul Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility from the Coral South Field located in Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique. 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FLNG","author":"","date":"April 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Eni, as the Delegated Operator of Area 4, on behalf of its Area 4 partners, celebrates the shipment of the 100thcargo of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) produced from Coral South FLNG, located in the ultra-deep waters of the Rovuma Basin, offshore Mozambique.\u00a0 This achievement underscores Eni\u2019s dedication to creating long-term\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Countries"","block_context":{"text":"Countries","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Coral-Sul-FLNG.jpg?fit=600%2C347&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Coral-Sul-FLNG.jpg?fit=600%2C347&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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