TotalEnergies refutes allegations concerning Mozambique terror attack
File photo: Lusa
The head of Mozambique’s National Petroleum Institute (INP) admitted to being concerned about the violence in Cabo Delgado, saying that the situation should be controlled urgently to facilitate the development of natural gas projects in the region.
“It is the wish of all of us that this situation be controlled as soon as possible,” chairman of INP’s board of directors Carlos Zacarias told a press conference in Maputo on Wednesday, July 18.
The northern province of Cabo Delgado, scene of intense multinational oil company activity in preparation for extracting natural gas, has been the target of attacks which have already caused more than 200 deaths by unidentified armed men since October 2017.
For Carlos Zacarias, solving the problem of the attacks in Cabo Delgado is fundamental for the implementation of natural gas projects and the well-being of the people.
“We are the regulatory body of a country where a Government and a people exist. Naturally, this aspect worries everyone,” he said.
One of the main natural gas projects, being led by a consortium spearheaded by oil major Anadarko, will invest about US$25 billion (about EUR 22 billion) in the extraction, liquefaction and export of natural gas in Area 1 of the Rovuma basin from 2024 on.
The announcement of another investment of the same amount by a consortium led by Eni and Exxon Mobil in Rovuma Basin Area 4 is planned for the second half of the year.
Last week, the United Nations warned of an increase in “terrorist groups” activities and drug trafficking in Mozambique, especially in the north, suggesting that the country is particularly vulnerable after the passage of two cyclones in March and April of this year.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.