TotalEnergies lifted force majeure for its Mozambique LNG project. ExxonMobil stayed with its plan to take FID on its Rovuma LNG project, stating the “security situation has dramatically increased there” after recent reports of a worsening security situation. 

The latest:

  • On 31 October, Darren Woods re-confirmed ExxonMobil’s plan to move forward with Rovuma LNG. 
  • Six days earlier, TotalEnergies lifted force majeure for its Mozambique LNG project. 
  • TotalEnergies’ force majeure was introduced in 2021 following deadly attacks by militants near the Afungi site in the Cabo Delgado province in the country’s north.
  • According to the Financial Times, in its letter to President Chapo, TotalEnergies’ CEO Patrick Pouyanne said “required security conditions are now in place to allow us to resume its activities.”
  • Under the new schedule, first LNG is planned for 1H 2029—five years later than initially planned.
  • However, on October 29, reports stated that ExxonMobil cancelled a planned press briefing with Mozambique’s president, “as an Islamist insurgency threatens security.”
  • Project delays have led to higher project costs. TotalEnergies has reportedly submitted its request to the Mozambique government for $4.5 billion in additional costs. 

What ExxonMobil is saying:

In response to an analyst question on security concerns for Mozambique during ExxonMobil’s 3rd quarter results presentation, Woods commented:

  • “As to where we are with respect to Mozambique, we are in a very good place.”
  • “We have got a very strong relationship with the government.”
  • “The security situation there has improved dramatically.”
  • “That project is moving ahead, and we feel really good about that; so does the government.”
  • “You can’t just believe or infer anything from [the press reports].”

What the press is saying:

  • F.T. reported that based on local press, insurgent attacks have intensified in recent weeks, with more than 20 people killed since 13 October. 
  • One of the security guards for TotalEnergies was reportedly beheaded.
  • Some international aid groups are concerned big investment decisions on Mozambique LNG projects could add fuel to the fire.

Offshore vs onshore LNG in Mozambique:

  • There are four LNG projects in Mozambique based on deepwater gas discoveries made since 2010— two offshore and two onshore.
  • TotalEnergies took FID for its Mozambique LNG project in 2019 to commercialize gas discoveries from Area 1.
  • ExxonMobil plans to take FID for its Rovuma LNG early in Q1 2026 to commercialize gas discoveries from Area 4.
  • ENI is leading the operations for two FLNG projects, Coral North and Coral South. 
  • In Q3 2025, ENI announced FID for the second FLNG project Coral North (aka Coral Norte, with 3.6 million tonnes per annum). 
  • ENI has been producing LNG from its first FLNG project Coral South (aka Coral Sul, with 3.4 million tonnes per annum) since 2022. 

What to watch: 

  • Will ExxonMobil be able to move forward with its projects?
  • Whose description of the country’s security will prove to be more accurate? ExxonMobil’s? Or that of the press?