TotalEnergies says the Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project cost has risen to $4.5 billion
TotalEnergies told Mozambique in a letter that costs for its LNG project had risen $4.5 billion over the past four years. It also wants to extend its production agreement by 10 years. The French oil giant confirmed Saturday that it, along with its partners, had decided to lift the force majeure for this project. It was stopped in 2021 due to an islamist militant attack. Before construction can resume, Mozambique’s Council of Ministers must approve an updated budget.
TotalEnergies, in partnership with partners, lifts force majeure on the $20 billion Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project
TotalEnergies, a French oil company, announced that it had lifted the force majeure for its $20 billion Mozambique Gas project with project partners. This comes four years after a militant Islamist attack halted construction. TotalEnergies' press officer confirmed that a letter was sent on Friday to the Mozambican Government. However, the company stated that the project will only be relaunched after the government has approved a revised budget and schedule.
Eni signs second floating LNG unit off the coast of Mozambique
The Italian energy company Eni, along with its partners, signed off on a project on Thursday to build a floating platform for liquefied gas, Coral North, in the waters of Mozambique. This will make that country Africa's top LNG producer. In the capital of Southern Africa, Maputo, a signing ceremony attended by Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo, Eni Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi and other officials took place at an upmarket hotel.
Official: Syria exports its first crude oil shipment for 14 years
A Syrian energy official said that Syria exported 600,000. barrels of heavy oil from Tartus on Monday as part of an agreement with a trading company. This was the first official export of Syrian crude oil in over 14 years. In 2010, Syria exported 380,000 barrels per day of crude oil. This was a year prior to the protests against Bashar Al-Assad, which spiraled into a 14-year conflict that destroyed the economy and infrastructure.
TotalEnergies is facing a French manslaughter investigation over an attack in Mozambique
TotalEnergies said that French prosecutors opened an investigation against it over a potential manslaughter, and for failing to help people in danger in a Mozambique jihadist attack. The energy company reiterated its denial of any wrongdoing. In March 2021, islamist insurgents attacked Palma, a port city in Spain, and killed many civilians near TotalEnergies-owned gas infrastructure projects in Mozambique. In late 2023…
Qatar will supply gas to Syria through Jordan, with the US's approval, sources claim
Three people with knowledge of the matter have confirmed that Qatar will supply Syria with gas through Jordan in order to improve its meager electricity supply. A U.S. official has said the move was approved by Washington. Qatar would provide the most tangible support to the new government in Damascus. Qatar is one of the strongest supporters of the rebels, who have now taken over the reins of power after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Unnamed U.S.
President Mozambique says that the country is not interested in reviewing terms of LNG projects.
Mozambique's new president stated on Friday that it is not interested in reviewing contract terms with energy giants such as TotalEnergies or ExxonMobil, who plan multi-billion dollar liquefied gas projects for the country. Daniel Chapo, the leader of the long-ruling Frelimo Party, took office on Tuesday after months of protests by opposition groups against his disputed electoral victory. Civil society groups claim that more than 300 people were killed.
Jordan and Syria will combat the arms and drug smuggling and Islamic State's revival
Jordan's Foreign Minister announced on Tuesday that Jordan and Syria had agreed to create a joint security panel to secure their border and combat drug and arms smuggling. They will also work to prevent a resurgence by Islamic State. Western anti-narcotics authorities say that captagon, a stimulant of amphetamine type, is mass produced in Syria. They also claim that Jordan is used as a transit point to reach the oil-producing Gulf States.
Mozambique's election is likely to be tense, with the ruling party winning.
Mozambique will vote on Wednesday, in a highly charged general election that is likely to result in victory for the ruling Frelimo party, which has governed this Southern African nation since its founding in 1975. Four candidates are in the running to replace President Filipe Nyusi who is leaving office after two terms. Daniel Chapo is the favourite, a 47-year-old lawyer who is a popular choice among businessmen and seen as a new face for the party.
Mozambique's election winner faces financial strain
The economy of Mozambique will be impacted by the worsening cyclones and insecurity as well as delays to gas projects, high debt levels, and delayed gas projects. Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling party, is currently the frontrunner. However, there are also three other candidates who want to succeed Felipe Nyusi in the role of president for the nation. Mozambique is under pressure to adopt fiscal discipline due to rising borrowing costs, especially as it has run out of options for refinancing its debt.
The front-runner for Mozambique president is likely to continue keeping Rwandans on the job of protecting gas sites
Analysts say that the ruling party candidate for this month's election, who is almost guaranteed to win, will continue to rely on Rwanda's army and European money in order to secure the region's vast gas fields, which are plagued by islamist violence. Daniel Chapo (47), an ex-highschool teacher, will be overseeing the construction of two LNG projects that are currently halted due to insecurity in the northern Cabo Delgado Province.
TotalEnergies CEO to meet Mozambique President to advance project in the country
TotalEnergies' CEO Patrick Pouyanne announced that he would be traveling to Mozambique in the latter part of this month to discuss the planned Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas project with the new president. Pouyanne stated that there has been recent "progress in security". On Oct. 9, Mozambicans are voting in presidential and legislative polls that will almost certainly extend the Frelimo Party's 50-year reign of power. The party is fighting a longstanding Islamist insurgency at one of Africa's biggest gas fields.
What are the main issues in Mozambique's elections?
Next week, Mozambicans are voting in legislative and presidential elections. It is almost certain that the Frelimo Party will extend its half-century in power. The party has been fighting a longstanding Islamist insurgency within one of Africa's biggest gas fields. Daniel Chapo is the candidate of the ruling party and a former law professor. He will replace Filipe Nyusi, who was previously a radio announcer. Here…
TotalEnergies denies knowing about alleged torture and killings at Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas site
PARIS, September 26 - French oil giant TotalEnergies responded to a report in the media by saying that it was unaware of the torture and killings allegedly committed on site of the future Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas plant. Politico reported earlier Thursday that Mozambican soldiers working out of this site, which has not been completed, had rounded up 180 to 250 local men and locked them inside shipping containers. They then tortured them and killed the majority of them from July through September 2021.
Mozambique Army, Islamist Insurgents Battle Near Gas projects
Mozambican troops battled Islamist insurgents in a town in a northern town on Monday close to billion-dollar gas projects being developed by ExxonMobil and Total, police said.The General Commander of Mozambique's police, Bernardino Rafael, said the insurgents attacked Mocimboa da Praia and its army barracks before dawn on Monday, wounding dozens of people.Mocimboa da Praia is about 350 km (220 miles) by road from…
Shell, Exxon Eye Somalia's Offshore
Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil are looking to return to Somalia ahead of an oil block bid round later this year, the East African country's oil ministry said.Shell and Exxon Mobil had a joint venture on five offshore blocks in Somalia prior to the toppling of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in the early 1990s.The country has been mired in insecurity since Barre left and is battling Islamist group al Shabaab that frequently…
Gunmen Attack Headquarters of Libya's State Oil Firm
Several armed men attacked the headquarters of Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) in the capital Tripoli on Monday, killing at least two oil staff, a security official said.In the first attack of its kind against the top managers of Libya's state oil industry, two of the gunmen were also killed and at least 10 NOC staff wounded, officials said.Security forces said they had regained control of the landmark glass…
Libya's NOC to Stage Oil and Gas Conference in Benghazi
Libya's state oil company National Oil Corp (NOC) will hold a conference in the eastern city of Benghazi in October to discuss the country's oil and gas sector, it said on Thursday. Domestic and foreign oil companies would participate to discuss the sector's development, NOC said in a statement on its website without naming any companies involved. The event will take place Oct. 9-11. Security has improved in Benghazi…
Oil Shrugs off Geopolitical Tensions but Some See Red Flags
The oil price has ignored rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as a three-year old crude surplus has wiped out any real fear over supply, but one of the world's largest security consultants says there are red flags the market cannot ignore. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries cut ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their arch-enemy Iran - charges Doha says are baseless.
Gulf States Squeeze Qatar as Solution Proves Elusive
Qatar, major gas exporter, calls for dialogue, diplomacy; evidence of economic pressure mounts, alarming markets. Gulf states cranked up the pressure on Qatar on Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Kuwait's emir worked to end an Arab row that Qataris say has led to a blockade of their country, an investment powerhouse and supplier of gas to world markets. With Trump offering to help resolve the crisis, possibly with a meeting at the White House…