Progress may boost Mozambique’s gas prospects

Significance

Two days earlier, the country’s sixth licensing round closed with six offers for offshore blocks. However, work on the country’s largest planned project, TotalEnergies’ LNG plant in Palma district, remains suspended due to the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.

Impacts

• Chinese interest in Mozambican gas will increase pressure to ensure international military forces remain in Cabo Delgado.
• Concentrating forces to secure an enclave for TotalEnergies risks allowing chronic insecurity to persist in other areas.
• Ongoing security risks across all projects will raise operating costs, and weaken Mozambique’s bargaining position on new licences.