LNG
Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) and Africa’s Gas Future: A Flexible Solution for Accelerated Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Development
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Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of Africa's gas development strategy, as the continent prepares for a sharp rise in demand and seeks faster, more resilient pathways to market. According to the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.Org) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, Africa's natural gas demand is projected to increase by 60% by 2050, underscoring the urgency of bringing new supply online efficiently and at scale. At the same time, Africa already hosts the highest concentration of FLNG infrastructure globally, positioning the continent as a natural testbed for floating solutions that monetize offshore resources while mitigating above-ground risks.
Accelerated FLNG Deployment
Early FLNG successes are already reshaping development models across the continent. Cameroon's Hilli Episeyo FLNG project stands as Africa's first operational FLNG facility and a global reference point. Brought online in record time, the project demonstrated how FLNG can rapidly unlock gas exports from relatively modest reserves. Since then, Africa's FLNG market has expanded, with several projects now under development or in operation.
On the maritime border of Senegal and Mauritania, the Gimi FLNG vessel – situated at the bp-led Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development and operated by Golar LNG – reached its commercial operations date in 2025. As the first FLNG unit deployed in the MSGBC region, the vessel will monetize up to 15 trillion cubic feet of gas through a 20-year Lease and Operate Agreement.
In Gabon, Perenco is developing the Cap Lopez FLNG project with a capacity of 700,000 tons per year, starting in 2026, with the unit being built by Dixstone. Offshore Nigeria, UTM Offshore is developing an FLNG facility at the deepwater Yoho field, a $5 billion project progressing toward FID. As Africa positions itself for the next phase of gas-led growth, FLNG stands out as a practical, future-focused solution – one that aligns technical innovation with the continent's urgent development needs and long-term energy ambitions.
Implications for the Sector
One of FLNG's most compelling advantages is scalability. Unlike onshore LNG developments, which require extensive land acquisition, supporting infrastructure and long construction timelines, FLNG facilities can be deployed in phases and scaled according to reservoir performance and market demand. This modular approach reduces upfront capital requirements and allows producers to accelerate first gas while preserving optionality for expansion. The Congo LNG project illustrates this approach: following phase one operations in 2023, operator Eni moved quickly toward phase two, bringing production online in 2025 – just 35 months after construction began and six months ahead of schedule. With first exports set for 2026, the project demonstrates how FLNG can be developed at speed and scale.
FLNG also helps mitigate above-ground risks – an issue shaping gas development strategies across Africa. Mozambique offers a clear example. Despite hosting some of the world's largest gas discoveries, security challenges in Cabo Delgado caused delays and force majeure declarations on major onshore LNG projects. Offshore FLNG developments, however, have proven more resilient. Eni brought the Coral Sul FLNG project online in 2022, with the Coral Norte FLNG project reaching a $7.2 billion FID in 2025. While projects such as Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG faced delays, Coral utilized FLNG to reduce exposure to onshore security threats and logistical bottlenecks, enabling continued operations even in complex environments.
Making Energy Poverty History Through Gas
Beyond speed and resilience, FLNG could become a catalyst for Africa's broader economic development. By reducing capital intensity and shortening development timelines, FLNG improves project bankability and attracts a wider pool of investors. It also supports gas-to-power strategies, petrochemical development and regional energy security by enabling monetization of gas that might otherwise remain stranded for years.
However, FLNG is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Successful deployment requires robust regulatory frameworks, clear fiscal terms and strong collaboration between governments, operators and financiers. When aligned with national gas master plans and long-term industrial strategies, FLNG can serve as a powerful bridge between exploration success and sustainable economic impact.
These discussions will be central at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, where governments and industry leaders will explore how floating solutions can unlock Africa's vast gas potential while managing risk and accelerating timelines. AEW continues to provide a critical platform for sharing lessons learned, advancing project dialogue and mobilizing capital into innovative LNG developments.
“FLNG is changing the game for African gas producers. It allows countries to monetize resources faster, reduce exposure to security and infrastructure risks, and generate revenues that can be reinvested into broader development. When deployed strategically, FLNG can help Africa turn gas discoveries into energy security, industrial growth and real economic transformation,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.African Energy Chamber (AEC) Voices Support for Venezuela, Emphasizing Stability as the Gateway to Energy Recovery and Long-Term Growth
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Venezuela enters 2026 amid heightened uncertainty following the detention of the country's president by the United States and the subsequent announcement by the supreme court that Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of Acting President. These developments have placed renewed focus on the importance of institutional continuity and stability at a moment when Venezuela's economic and energy future hangs in the balance.
For the African Energy Chamber (AEC), stability remains the single most critical requirement for development. Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world, a resource base with the potential to transform the country's economic trajectory, rebuild infrastructure and restore energy security. Realizing this potential, however, will depend on predictable governance, responsible resource management and the creation of mutually beneficial contractual frameworks that encourage long-term investment. At this critical juncture, the AEC calls on the energy industry and the international community to provide maximum support to Acting President Rodríguez, encouraging unity, institutional continuity and a nationally driven development agenda.
“This is the time to continue encouraging everyone to invest in Venezuela. We call on African states and leaders as well as the Global South to give the Acting President and the Venezuelan people support as they determine their future, sovereignty and how they want to proceed,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
The AEC has long-held a strong working relationship with both Acting President Rodríguez and Venezuela at large. For her part, Acting President Rodríguez - who also serves as Oil Minister - has long-supported Africa's right to use its oil resources to better the lives of its people. Under her leadership, the country - through its state-owned PDVSA - has developed strong international ties with Africa. Looking ahead, the Chamber believes that the Global South stands to benefit from continued multilateral, respectful engagement.
Importantly, Venezuela is not isolated from the Global South's energy dialogue. As a founding member of OPEC, Venezuela has spearheaded the inclusion of African countries in the organization, recognizing their role in stabilizing global energy markets. Meanwhile, as an Honorary Member of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization, the country has long recognized the value of South-South cooperation, shared technical expertise and collective approaches to resource development. This relationship underscores Venezuela's alignment with producer nations that view hydrocarbons not as a liability, but as a development tool capable of driving industrialization, energy security and social progress when managed responsibly.
Beyond that, Venezuela continues to lead capacity building programs with African companies and students. The country trains African students, fosters leadership development and opens opportunities for African companies to invest in the country - not only in energy but various other sectors.
For Venezuela, oil remains the backbone of the economy and the most powerful lever available to accelerate recovery. Even after years of decline, hydrocarbons still account for close to 90% of export revenues and more than half of government income, while contributing an estimated 17% to 20% of GDP. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves at approximately 303 billion barrels, representing around 17% of global reserves. At current and projected oil prices, the in-ground notional value of these resources is measured in the tens of trillions of dollars, placing Venezuela among the most strategically significant energy geographies in the world.
Production realities, however, highlight both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity ahead. After collapsing to roughly 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2020, output has recovered to approximately 900,000 to 1.1 million barrels per day as of early 2026. This remains far below the historical peak of 3.4 million bpd reached in the late 1990s, but it demonstrates that Venezuela's industry is not irreparably damaged. With stable governance, regulatory clarity and sustained investment of around $10 billion per year, production in the country has the potential to reach 2.5 million bpd over the next decade, with a return to peak levels requiring cumulative investment in the range of $80 billion to $100 billion.
The heart of this recovery lies in the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt, which covers some 55,000 km2 and contains nearly 90% of Venezuela's reserves. Blocks such as Petropiar, Ayacucho and the Zuata Complex anchor current output, though the extra-heavy nature of the crude means that access to dilutants, upgrading capacity and modern technology will be essential. Alongside oil, offshore natural gas presents an important diversification opportunity. Projects such as the Dragon field, estimated to hold more than 4 trillion cubic feet of gas, and the Cocuina-Manakin development near Trinidad offer pathways to monetize gas through regional LNG markets, support power generation and reduce the economy's overreliance on crude exports.
Infrastructure rehabilitation will be equally critical. Venezuela's refining system, with nameplate capacity of around 1.46 million bpd, is operating at just 10% to 20% due to decades of deferred maintenance. Pipelines, many of them more than 50 years old, require billions of dollars in upgrades, while the country's state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. estimates total infrastructure needs of roughly $58 billion to restore functionality across the value chain. These investments have the potential to become employment engines and confidence signals that can rapidly improve domestic economy conditions.
International participation, mutually-beneficial investment terms, transparency and local involvement will be indispensable in this process. Existing involvement by companies such as Chevron, which currently produces around 240,000 to 250,000 bpd through joint ventures, illustrates the catalytic role that experienced operators can play. European firms including Eni, Repsol and Shell, alongside service providers such as SLB, Baker Hughes and Halliburton, have maintained a presence focused on asset integrity and selective growth under constrained conditions. By evolving into mutually-beneficial contracts, these relationships can form the backbone of a broader re-engagement by the global energy industry.
“Venezuela sits atop extraordinary natural wealth, and the lesson from Africa is clear: when stability is prioritized and the energy sector is allowed to function responsibly, hydrocarbons can drive recovery, unity and long-term development. The industry and the international community must come together at this critical moment,” concluded Ayuk.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Shifting Global Agendas Are Slowing African Projects – Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Shows the Cost
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Political shifts in major international financing centers are reshaping who funds Africa's energy future, with the Mozambique LNG project illustrating how policy swings abroad can delay development timelines and raise costs. Africa's large oil and gas developments – often reliant on export credit agencies and support from foreign governments – are especially exposed. The prolonged disruptions surrounding Mozambique LNG demonstrate how evolving climate policies, security assessments and domestic political agendas in external jurisdictions can slow progress, increase financing costs and complicate long-term planning.
The TotalEnergies-led project has faced years of setbacks, beginning with the 2021 insurgent attack in Cabo Delgado and continuing through a carefully staged redesign and restart process. In early 2025, the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a near-$5 billion loan to support the project's revival, signaling Washington's renewed willingness to back major natural gas developments.
Yet only months later, the UK took a sharply different stance, withdrawing its previously committed $1.15 billion in financing, citing elevated security concerns and shifts in climate-policy guidance. The reversal reintroduced uncertainty to the project's already complex financial structure and complicated Mozambique's timeline for restoring momentum.
These contrasting decisions – one government reinstating support while another steps back – highlight the challenge African governments and project developers now face. Project viability increasingly hinges not only on strong technical fundamentals, but also on political cycles, climate-policy debates and shifting investment mandates in lending jurisdictions. When export credit agencies or foreign governments adjust their positions due to domestic pressures, the immediate consequences include re-evaluated lending terms, delayed contracting schedules and heightened risk perception among commercial financiers.
For Mozambique, the implications are significant. Rebuilding financing commitments after a major participant exits increases project costs and extends timelines. Uncertainty also affects domestic planning, from future revenue projections to job-creation expectations. Operators must expand efforts to demonstrate improved security conditions, strengthened community engagement and robust environmental safeguards.
Across the continent, investor sentiment is shaped by these international policy swings. African energy leaders increasingly observe that political volatility in external markets has become a core component of project risk. Some governments are turning to alternative financiers – including multilateral institutions and capital providers in regions with more stable natural gas investment positions – though those options may come with different terms, geopolitical considerations or longer approval processes.
In this evolving landscape, platforms like African Energy Week (AEW) play a critical stabilizing role. AEW has emerged as a central venue where governments, financiers, operators and policymakers can align on investment priorities and respond collectively to global policy uncertainty. The 2026 edition in Cape Town – focused on enhancing energy security and building resilient investment frameworks – offers a valuable opportunity to develop new financing structures, risk-mitigation tools and frameworks that protect African projects from external policy reversals.
AEW also helps clarify expectations between African governments and international partners. Stakeholders increasingly emphasize the need for predictable long-term financing frameworks, clearer alignment between climate-policy objectives and development support, and mechanisms that shield large-scale projects from abrupt shifts in foreign political agendas. Growing interest in regional financial instruments, multilateral guarantees and African-led investment platforms reflects a broader push to reduce reliance on single-jurisdiction decisions.
The experience of Mozambique LNG underscores how global energy and political debates can directly affect Africa's capacity to build and sustain critical infrastructure. While the continent continues advancing ambitious exploration, LNG and natural gas development plans, long-term progress will depend on a more stable international financing environment and stronger Africa-led coordination. AEW 2026 provides a timely venue to advance that agenda – but consistent commitments from global partners will be essential to translating strategy into fully executed projects.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Global Service Providers, Industrial Specialists Join the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 as Bronze Sponsors
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The Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 (https://LibyaSummit.com), taking place in Tripoli from January 24-26, continues to attract a broad cross-section of international and regional companies aligned with Libya's upstream growth, infrastructure modernization and economic revitalization agenda. The event has confirmed (Kellogg Brown & Root) KBR , TGS, Bharat Tanks & Vessels (BTV), Go Gas Holding, Regus and SIXT as Bronze Sponsors, underscoring strong private-sector engagement as Libya accelerates toward its production and investment targets.
The participation of these companies reflects growing confidence in Libya's reform-driven energy strategy, which combines aggressive upstream expansion with renewed focus on gas monetization, logistics, infrastructure and investor enablement. Together, the Bronze Sponsors represent the technical depth, advisory expertise and operational support required to translate policy momentum into executable projects.
Global engineering and advisory firm KBR brings decades of experience in Libya, spanning upstream engineering, infrastructure planning and government advisory services. As a strategic partner to Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) (https://apo-opa.co/3Ll9nLh), KBR is providing feasibility studies, technical reviews and project delivery frameworks across oil, gas, power and infrastructure. Its long-standing footprint positions KBR as a key enabler of Libya's next investment cycle.
Energy data and intelligence company TGS supports Libya's upstream revival through advanced subsurface analytics and seismic data coverage. With one of the world's largest energy data libraries, TGS provides 2D and 3D seismic datasets that help governments and operators de-risk exploration and accelerate decision-making, particularly relevant as Libya opens new acreage across the Sirte, Murzuq and Ghadames basins.
India-based BTV joins LEES 2026 as Libya prioritizes midstream and downstream infrastructure upgrades. Specializing in ASME-certified pressure vessels, LPG spheres, cryogenic tanks and transport equipment, BTV is positioned to support storage and distribution systems for LNG, LPG, ammonia and emerging fuels. Its capabilities align with Libya's need to modernize fuel logistics while preparing for future energy vectors such as hydrogen and CO₂ handling.
Go Gas Holding, a regional energy company active in Libya's gas value chain, reflects the growing emphasis on gas capture, domestic supply and downstream infrastructure. As Libya advances projects at Waha, Bouri and the Western Libya Gas Project, Go Gas' focus on distribution and logistics complements national efforts to improve power generation and reduce flaring.
Beyond energy operations, Regus and SIXT support the broader investment ecosystem. Regus provides flexible office infrastructure in Tripoli, enabling international firms to establish rapid local presence, while SIXT – operating through its Libyan franchise – delivers secure mobility solutions for executives, project teams and summit delegates.
“The participation of these Bronze Sponsors reflects the depth and diversity of expertise required to support Libya's energy resurgence, from upstream advisory and data to infrastructure, logistics and investor enablement. Their engagement at LEES 2026 underscores growing international confidence in Libya's reform agenda and the opportunities emerging across the entire energy value chain,” states James Chester, CEO, Energy Capital & Power.
Together, the Bronze Sponsors reinforce LEES 2026's role as a convergence point for operators, service providers and investors shaping Libya's energy and economic future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.Turning Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Oversupply into Opportunity: Why Africa’s Gas Future Depends on Infrastructure
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Global LNG supply is set to surge from 2027, driven by new projects and expanded production in the U.S. and Qatar. Bloomberg's Global LNG Market Outlook 2030 forecasts global supply reaching 594 million tons by 2030 – a 42% increase from 2024 – with a projected 15-million-ton oversupply in international markets. While geopolitical risks and potential project delays could shift this balance, the prospect of sustained LNG surplus poses a critical question for Africa: how can the continent strengthen domestic gas value chains to shield itself from global market volatility?
Rising African Demand Constrained by Infrastructure
Africa's natural gas production is rising, with several new LNG projects coming online across the continent. North Africa currently produces two-thirds of the continent's gas, but the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook projects this share falling to 40% by 2035 as sub-Saharan output accelerates. By 2050, sub-Saharan LNG supply could quadruple, while African gas demand is expected to grow 60%, from 55 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2020 to 90 bcm.
Despite this growing demand, most gas continues to be exported. The primary bottleneck is infrastructure: limited pipeline networks, underdeveloped transmission systems and insufficient processing and storage prevent gas from reaching domestic markets. As a result, LNG exports remain the most viable monetization route, backed by international offtake contracts and financing structures. Financing constraints further exacerbate the challenge, as domestic infrastructure projects require patient capital, government support and credit enhancements, which are often easier to secure for export-focused LNG developments. Addressing this imbalance will demand an infrastructure-led strategy that aligns production with domestic pipelines, power generation and regional interconnections.
New Projects Signal Momentum
Recent developments suggest positive momentum toward a more integrated African gas economy. In the LNG sector, countries are constructing terminals to support domestic and regional access, including projects at Richards Bay in South Africa and the Port of Nador in Morocco. Earlier this month, Ethiopia signed a landmark agreement to advance the Gas-by-Rail Economic Corridor Initiative, a 75,000-km freight railway system designed to carry LNG to more than 40 sub-Saharan nations, providing direct pathways to high-demand markets.
Cross-border and power generation infrastructure is also expanding. Several major pipeline projects are underway, including the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline traversing 13 West African states, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline connecting Nigeria to Algeria, and the $1.5 billion Mozambique-Zambia pipeline announced in 2025. Senegal is developing a multi-phase gas network linking offshore production to power plants, industrial zones and urban areas, while Ghana plans five multi-purpose petrochemical plants, each producing 90,000 barrels per day of chemicals such as fertilizers and lubricants to support industrial and agricultural sectors.
A continental push toward gas-to-power is increasingly evident, supported by policy reform and efforts to expand electricity access. The AEC outlook projects natural gas supplying 45% of Africa's power by 2050. Countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Senegal, Ghana and Mozambique have integrated gas-to-power goals into national strategies, aiming to translate rising gas production into reliable electricity, cleaner cooking solutions, and broad-based economic growth.
“Export projects alone will not secure Africa's energy future. Strategic investment in gas infrastructure is what will determine whether rising production translates into electricity access, industrial capacity, and economic resilience,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
With domestic gas demand rising, infrastructure projects underway and export markets becoming increasingly competitive, African Energy Week 2026 offers a strategic forum to reposition gas not merely as an export commodity, but as a foundation for long-term energy security, industrial development and inclusive growth across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Gabon Strengthens Regional Energy Engagement as Oil and Gas Minister Joins Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026
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Sosthène Nguema Nguema, Minister of Oil and Gas, Gabon has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 – taking place in Tripoli from January 24-26. The announcement highlights Gabon's ongoing efforts to attract international investment and advance strategic reforms in its oil and gas sector.
Minister Nguema assumed office in May 2025 and has since led a comprehensive modernization of Gabon's hydrocarbons framework. Under his leadership, the government is replacing the 2019 Hydrocarbons Code with separate oil and gas codes (https://apo-opa.co/4pW73cJ), aiming to enhance transparency, improve fiscal terms and provide legal clarity for investors. These reforms are design to unlock Gabon's deepwater and ultra-deepwater reserves, an underdeveloped segment of the country's energy portfolio.
Gabon currently produces approximately 200,000-228,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, with proven oil reserves estimated at 2 billion barrels and natural gas reserves at 26 billion cubic meters. In 2025, the country has seen major international re-entries, with bp and ExxonMobil signing MoUs (https://apo-opa.co/4qtT2CZ) to explore offshore oil and gas blocks. The state-owned Gabon Oil Company (GOC) has also expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions, including Tullow Oil's Gabonese assets (https://apo-opa.co/49xcitD) and Assala Energy, raising national production to nearly 50,000 bpd under its portfolio.
Key gas projects under development in the country include the Cap Lopez LNG Terminal, a $2 billion investment by Perenco (https://apo-opa.co/3MW8oBU) featuring a floating LNG unit slated to begin production in 2026, and the Port-Gentil LNG facility, a $983 million joint venture with GOC. Gabon's broader energy strategy also encompasses renewable integration and electricity expansion, targeting 85% rural electrification by the end of 2025.
Gabon and Libya share a history of multilateral cooperation through OPEC and continental energy forums, and Minister Nguema's participation at LEES 2026 reinforces growing collaboration across the African oil and gas sector. Scheduled to join a high-level ministerial panel during this year's event, Minister Nguema is set to provide attendees with first-hand insights into Gabon's production optimization strategies, regulatory reforms, and investment opportunities, while also engaging in discussions on regional gas infrastructure and hybrid energy integration.
“We are honored to welcome Minister Sosthène Nguema Nguema to LEES 2026,” states James Chester, CEO, Energy Capital & Power. “His participation underscores Gabon's strategic role in Africa's evolving energy landscape and offers delegates a unique opportunity to engage directly with leadership driving regulatory reforms, deepwater exploration and gas monetization initiatives. Minister Nguema's insights will be invaluable for investors and stakeholders looking to partner in Gabon's growing hydrocarbon and energy sector.”
Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa's most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.