Mozambique: Coral Sul FLNG arrives on site

The Coral Sul floating LNG (FLNG) vessel has arrived in Area 4, offshore Mozambique, with the aim of starting production in the second half of 2022. The Instituto Nacional de Petróleo (INP) announced the arrival of the vessel in the Rovuma basin.

The regulator said the certification of the helipad is underway, which will allow helicopters to land and take off for the ship's crew. Inspections of various components are also coming up, he said, by a multi-sector team.

The NPI said it was working to ensure that Coral Sul was compliant with HSE requirements, noting the importance of contingency plans.

Another team will inspect the vessel prior to issuing the operating license, as required by Regulation 84/2020. INP said it expects this to take place in April.

The regulator added that the arrival of the vessel was in line with the government's schedule. This began with the final investment decision (FID) in June 2017. Construction began in 2018.

INP noted that work had taken place around the world. Most of it was at Samsung Heavy Industry's (SHI) Geoje shipyards in South Korea.

MAJOR RANGE

The production vessel is 432 meters long, 66 meters wide and weighs about 220,000 tons. It costs about $7 billion and can liquefy 3.37 million tons per year.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi visited South Korea in November for the official launch ceremony of the Coral Sul FLNG unit.

The state-owned Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) holds a 10% stake in the project, as do Galp Energia Rovuma and KOGAS Mozambique. Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV), a joint venture of Eni, ExxonMobil and CNODC, holds the remaining 70%.

BP has committed to purchase the project's production for 20 years.

ALP Maritime ensured the towing of the vessel, with three tugs: ALP Sweeper, ALP Keeper and ALP Striker.

Oxfam has calculated that Mozambique will earn about $11.6 billion from Coral Sul FLNG over its lifetime, according to the Ministry of Finance. Eni has projected that Mozambique will earn $16 billion. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has projected up to $24.5 billion.