Eni, in partnership with Petronas, is advancing plans to deploy what would be the world's largest floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, with a proposed capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum. This unit would be significantly larger than existing vessels, being two-thirds bigger than the current largest capacity units.

Current FLNG Operations and Capacity

Eni has been a leader in the FLNG sector with operational units in Congo-Brazzaville and Mozambique. In Congo, the Tango FLNG has a 0.6 million tpa capacity, while the Nguya unit has 2.4 million tpa. In Mozambique's Offshore Area 4, the Coral Sul unit produces 3.4 million tpa, and the sanctioned Coral Nord vessel will have a 3.6 million tpa capacity, matching Shell's Prelude unit offshore Australia, which is currently the world's largest.

Proposed Mega-FLNG in Mozambique

Eni has initiated the process for a new 6 million tpa FLNG vessel targeted for Mozambique. An expression of interest has been released to contractors to gauge their ability to provide such a vessel, with response deadlines initially set for end-February, though potentially extended to end-March. While details are preliminary, the vessel would likely tap gas from discoveries within the Mamba complex in Area 4, though some gas from this complex is reserved for the ExxonMobil-led, 18 million tpa Rovuma onshore project. Eni would require full backing from its Area 4 partners, ExxonMobil and CNPC International, to proceed. If deployed in the deepwater Mamba complex, it would require onboard processing equipment, similar to the Coral units. Notably, CNPC had previously commissioned conceptual studies for a third FLNG vessel in Mozambique.

Economic and Strategic Context

Eni's upstream official stated that the unit cost of newbuild FLNG vessels is now nearly on par with onshore liquefaction plants, indicating improved economic viability. There is scope for a third FLNG in Mozambique, which would not necessarily have to be deployed on the Coral field.

Parallel Plans in Argentina

Eni is also exploring similar large-scale FLNG deployments outside Mozambique. In Argentina, it is working with YPF and Adnoc affiliate XRG on a proposal to install up to three 6 million tpa vessels. These would be fed by gas from the Vaca Muerta shale play and moored near the coast. As part of the Argentina LNG project, these vessels may not require onboard processing equipment, as gas cleaning could be performed onshore before delivery for liquefaction. This project is currently in the engineering phase.