French oil giant plans to resume Mozambique gas work

TotalEnergies is planning to resume its natural gas project in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region this year, after suspending it last March following a jihadist attack.

The firm’s chief executive, Patrick Pouyanné, made the announcement on Monday after meeting Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

He said he was “optimistic” about the plan.

“My goal is that [the project] restarts in 2022, but I am not alone. We are ready”, he said at a joint press conference.

The construction of the gas plant, extracted from the seabed about 40km (25 miles) offshore is the largest private investment in Africa.

The French energy giant declared a "force majeure" suspending all work on the $20bn (£14.8bn) contract following the attack in Palma, which was home to its subcontractors and many workers.

The firm’s CEO said that he wants to be able to go “to Palma, Mocímboa da Praia and Mueda” areas the next time he returns to Mozambique.

The Cabo Delgado province is rich in natural gas, but it has been hit by attacks since 2017 by armed rebels, some linked to jihadist groups.

A joint military force has been fighting the insurgent groups in the region since last year.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Reuters