Congo LNG, the first project to export natural gas

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.

Project features

Activity start date: 2022 – present

The Republic of Congo

Oil & Gas
Oil & Gas

Eni Congo S.A.

Project development and operation

The production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG)

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.

Two floating units for Congo LNG

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. The second phase will include the positioning of another FLNG unit offshore. The Tango FLNG ship, which is 380 metres long and 60 metres wide, is anchored at a water depth of about 40 metres and will be able to store over 180,000 cubic metres of LNG and 45,000 cubic metres of LPG.

The advantages of liquefied natural gas (LNG)

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.

Highlights
3
MTPA

total LNG production capacity


2
FLNG

floating units for gas liquefaction


> 180 K

Tango FLNG LNG storage capacity


45 K

Tango FLNG LPG storage capacity


3
MTPA

total LNG production capacity

2
FLNG

floating units for gas liquefaction

> 180 K

Tango FLNG LNG storage capacity

45 K

Tango FLNG LPG storage capacity

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Last update: 08 September 2023


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