France’s Total has declared force majeure on its $20 billion Mozambique LNG project following recent attacks near the Afungi site.
Total said in a statement on Monday it would withdraw all of the personnel from the Afungi site.
“Considering the evolution of the security situation in the north of the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, Total confirms the withdrawal of all Mozambique LNG project personnel from the Afungi site. This situation leads Total, as operator of Mozambique LNG project, to declare force majeure,” the firm said.
“Total expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Mozambique and wishes that the actions carried out by the government of Mozambique and its regional and international partners will enable the restoration of security and stability in Cabo Delgado province in a sustained manner,” it said.
To remind, Total said on March 24 it would progressively resume construction activities at the Afungi site due to additional site security measures but the new attack occured the same day.
The firm then suspended activities at the facilities again a few days later.
The project’s EPC contractor is CCS JV, a venture between Saipem, McDermott, and Chiyoda.
The project includes the development of offshore gas fields in Mozambique’s Area 1 and a 12.8 mtpa liquefaction plant at the Afungi complex.
Mozambique LNG will also have a fleet of dedicated LNG carriers.
Besides Total, other partners in the project are Japan’s Mitsui, Mozambique’s ENH, Thailand’s PTT, and Indian firms ONGC, Bharat Petroleum, and Oil India.