Africa embraces floating LNG

FLNG developments are reaching fresh milestones on the continent, but questions remain about the ability of the smaller players to advance some of these projects without additional partners

FLNG is a relatively new technology, offering shorter development times and lower costs than traditional onshore liquefaction facilities while also not requiring as much supporting infrastructure. So, it is perhaps no surprise that FLNG has found a particular niche in Africa, with its considerable—but largely untapped—gas resources. Recent months have seen a flurry of FLNG announcements and developments across the continent, led by both international and local firms, but this may be part of an existing trend rather than an upswing in new activity. Italy’s Eni has been a pioneer of FLNG in Africa, with its Coral Sud project in Mozambique dispatching its first cargo in late 2022 and its rapid-