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Report: Security threats likely to linger in

Mozambique despite security pact with Total

PROJECTS & THE memorandum signed last week between ASWJ’s capabilities, though, it said.
COMPANIES Total (France) and the government of Mozam- “So far, insurgents have not directly targeted
bique may serve to improve security arrange- Total’s LNG development, and the Mozambican
ments for the Mozambique LNG project without government has already reinforced its military
improving security conditions in surrounding presence around Palma following the recent
areas of the country, according to Stratfor. surge of attacks near Mocimboa da Praia,” Strat-
The US-based intelligence company said last for wrote in a briefing dated August 25. “But
week that Total’s memorandum of understand- without significantly disrupting their activities
ing (MoU) with the Mozambican authorities across the broader Cabo Delgado region, mili-
was likely to reduce the immediate risks stem- tants’ capabilities will likely continue to grow and These groups
ming from the activity of Islamic State-affiliated could eventually present an even greater threat to
groups such as Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamo (ASWJ). Total and other oil and gas companies’ onshore have become a
These groups have become a major source of operations.”
concern for the French company following their Total is the operator of the Mozambique LNG major source of
takeover of Mocimboa da Praia, a port in Cabo consortium; its subsidiary Total E&P Mozam-
Delgado that has been serving as the main entry bique Area 1 has a 26.5% stake in the project. concern for the
point for shipments of equipment and goods for The remaining equity is divided between two French company
the Mozambique LNG consortium, on August Japanese companies, Mitsui and Japan Oil, Gas
12. and Metals National Corp. (JOGMEC), with following their
Since that date, the French major has been 20%; Bharat Petroleum (India), with 15%; Beas
trying to beef up its security regime. It is keen Rovuma Energy Mozambique (a 60:40 joint takeover of
to retain its access to Mocimboa da Praia, which venture between ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and
is about 75 km from the site on the Afungi Pen- Oil India Ltd, or OIL), with 10%; Mozambique’s Mocimboa da
insula where the group is building an onshore national oil company (NOC) ENH, with 10%; Praia.
plant that will process gas from its offshore and PTTEP (Thailand), with 8.5%.
licence, known as Area 1. The partners are building a gas liquefaction
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s government plant on the Afungi Peninsula. This onshore
has also responded to the takeover of the facility will process natural gas from Area 1,
port by expanding its own military footprint which lies offshore in the Rovuma Basin. It will
at Palma, another coastal town about 84 km eventually have two production trains, each with
from Mocimboa da Praia, Stratfor noted. a capacity of 6.44mn tpy. The first train is slated
These measures do not appear to have affected to come on stream in 2024.™

Week 35 04•September•2020 www. NEWSBASE .com P11