Congo LNG is the first natural gas liquefaction (LNG) project in the Republic of Congo. The installation of new infrastructure and the optimisation of existing facilities allow the abundant gas resources, associated and not, to be tapped, thus supplying both the local electricity market and exports to other countries, with Europe as the main destination.
The Congo LNG project, currently in its production phase, was implemented with simultaneous exploration and development activities to accelerate production. Using a zero-flaring technological approach to reduce fugitive methane emissions, the project enables the Republic of the Congo to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) and thus support its economic growth, in line with Eni’s decarbonization strategy.
This initiative, which has increased the overall production capacity of the Marine XII concession to be increased up to 3 MTPA, includes the construction of onshore facilities and of infrastructure necessary for natural gas processing. It also involves the installation of two floating natural gas liquefaction (FLNG) plants on the Nenè and Litchendjili fields, which are already in production, and on discoveries not yet developed. The development of the project includes the construction of the onshore plants and infrastructure which will allow, upon completion of the works, the treatment of natural gas. The first LNG cargo was allocated to Piombino’s regasification terminal, in Italy.
The project's configuration is carried out in two phases and involves the use of multiple technological and operational skills. The first phase foresees the nearshore development with the positioning of the Tango FLNG floating unit. The first LNG cargo kicked off in February 2024, placing the Republic of Congo in the global list of LNG producers’ countries. In the second phase, the Nguya FLNG ship will be positioned offshore, completing the activity of Tango FLNG and increasing the project's overall liquefaction capacity.
LNG is the fossil fuel with the smallest carbon footprint. Its availability contributes to security of supply, by diversifying the energy mix and improving the conditions of access to energy in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa where, despite the great availability of resources, more than half a billion people have no access to electricity. In addition to bringing immediate benefits to producer countries, LNG can be transported around the world, thus bridging the distance between places of production and places of consumption and also freeing Italy from a market strongly influenced by the route of gas pipelines. For all these reasons, we consider projects like Congo LNG crucial for the transformation of the energy market.
The data were selected from those contained in our official documents.
(mln ton/y) total LNG production capacity
floating units for gas liquefaction
(mln ton/y) Tango FLNG liquefaction capacity
(mln ton/y) Nguya FLNG liquefaction capacity
(mln ton/y) total LNG production capacity
floating units for gas liquefaction
(mln ton/y) Tango FLNG liquefaction capacity
(mln ton/y) Nguya FLNG liquefaction capacity