Page 10 - DMEA Week 05 2021

DMEA LNG DMEA

Total downplays possibility of

Mozambique LNG shift to Mayotte

MOZAMBIQUE FRANCE’S Total has downplayed reports that is owned by CFM, the national rail and port
it is scouting out new logistical solutions for company.)
Total, its partners and Mozambique LNG. Total also indicated, however, that Mayotte
contractors have been Total, its partners and its contractors have might play a role in the project. It told AIM
using Pemba as their been using Pemba, the capital of Mozambique’s that it was “investigating options to carry [out]
base for work. northern Cabo Delgado Province, as their base some offshore support operations in the region
for work on the $23bn project. But last week, to optimise part of its logistical chain and plan-
Carta de Moçambique, an independent Mozam- ning, including in Mayotte, by using existing
bican newspaper, said that the Mozambique infrastructure.”
LNG consortium hoped to shift to a second base Additionally, it stressed that it remained
of operations on Mayotte, a French overseas committed to its local content pledges, which
department in the Indian Ocean. call for awarding $2.5bn worth of contracts to
According to the newspaper, Total executives companies that are owned by Mozambicans
have already begun negotiations with the island’s or registered in Mozambique. “Our contrac-
administration on the establishment of this base, tors have a central role in this, and our focus is
along with equipment storage and other issues. on ensuring all contractors meet all legal and
The French major will use the new facility for off- contractual obligations and take appropriate
shore operations, it said. steps to support and develop local businesses
The French major responded by dismissing and the local workforce, while also advanc-
the Carta de Moçambique report and declaring ing the project on time and within budget,” it
that it intended to continue relying on Pemba as commented.
it worked on Mozambique LNG. Pemba’s port Questions about Total’s plans are probably
facilities will continue to handle operations related to the recent uptick in civil unrest within
related to the construction of Mozambique Cabo Delgado. Since 2017, many villages in the
LNG’s onshore complex on the Afungi Penin- province have come under attack from Ahlu
sula, as well as work at Area 1, the offshore block Sunnah Wa-Jamo (ASWJ), an Islamist group
that will provide natural gas for the liquefaction that has links to the Islamic State (Daesh).
plant within the complex, it said in a statement Mozambique’s armed forces have tried to repel
sent to UK-based Agência de Informação de ASWJ and thwart its efforts to gain control of
Moçambique (AIM). Cabo Delgado, but they have not been entirely
Moreover, it said, TechnipFMC, Mozam- successful. Some of the attacks have occurred
bique LNG’s main contractor, will still share the in places very close to Mozambique LNG’s con-
French major’s facilities in Pemba. (The port struction site. ™

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 05 04•February•2021