Oil & Gas

Europe recently welcomed its inaugural LNG ( liquefied natural gas) delivery from a new African exporter, diversifying its energy sources amid efforts to reduce reliance on Russian supplies. Italy, the recipient of this historic shipment, received the first consignment from the Eni project in Congo, marking a significant step towards enhanced energy security.

According to reports from a specialized energy platform, the Piombino plant, utilizing Sanam's floating storage and regasification unit, accepted the initial cargo produced at Eni's floating liquefied gas facility in Congo. Eni's announcement on February 27, 2024, heralded the departure of the first LNG shipment from Congo, destined for the port of Piombino in Italy.

The Gazlog Savannah, a 155,000-cubic-meter LNG tanker, arrived at the 170,000-cubic-meter floating storage and regasification unit in Piombino on Tuesday morning, April 9, 2024. This voyage had been preceded by sightings of the Gazelug Savannah in the Alboran Sea off Spain on March 13, 2024, before its eventual arrival in Italy.

Eni's venture in Congo commenced liquefied gas production in December 2023 with the introduction of gas to its floating LNG Tango facility. This facility, acquired from Belgian company Exmar and refurbished in Dubai, boasts a liquefaction capacity of approximately 1 billion cubic meters per year. Moreover, plans are underway for a second LNG vessel, with construction ongoing in China and expected completion in 2025.

The inauguration of Congo's LNG export activities was commemorated on February 27, 2024, with the participation of key figures including the President of the Republic of Congo and Eni's leadership. Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi, emphasized the collaborative efforts between Eni, local partners, and the Congolese government, highlighting the mutual benefits for both economic growth and energy security.