TotalEnergies appoints Nicolas Cambefort as Mozambique LNG manager

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TotalEnergies appoints Nicolas Cambefort as Mozambique LNG manager

2:45 CAT | 14 Jan 2025

File photo: Nicolas Cambefort/ LinkedIn

French multinational TotalEnergies has announced the appointment of Nicolas Cambefort as the new Mozambique LNG Project Manager, replacing Stéphane Le Galles, who played a significant role in strengthening operations in Mozambique.

Cambefort, who is already in Maputo, will take over the leadership at a time when the resumption of the project remains constrained by security issues and political instability in the country.

According to Africa Intelligence, Cambefort, an engineer trained at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers, has over 30 years of experience in major international projects.

Cambefort was previously based in Paris, where he was in charge of developing offshore wind farms for the oil company. Over his career, he has gained experience in projects in Norway, Indonesia, Venezuela and the United States.

The restart of the Mozambique LNG project, located in Cabo Delgado province, remains dependent on improved security in the region, which was shaken by the 2021 terrorist attacks in Palma. TotalEnergies declared “force majeure” following the attack, suspending operations and evacuating workers.

In addition, the post-election political landscape in Mozambique has raised uncertainty. Since October 2024, protests led by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane have generated instability, resulting in the closure of companies and the loss of more than 12,000 jobs. TotalEnergies is looking forward to seeing how president-elect Daniel Chapo, will address these issues, especially in collaboration with the Rwandan forces deployed in Cabo Delgado.

Project progress and milestones

The Mozambique LNG project is one of three approved for the exploitation of the vast natural gas reserves of the Rovuma basin, ranked among the largest in the world. Led by TotalEnergies in Area 1, it envisages the construction of a gas liquefaction plant in Afungi, with a production capacity of 12.88 million tonnes per year.

According to the Global LNG database, the project was 21% complete when it was suspended. The initial cost estimated at between US$8 and 9 billion was adjusted to over US$10 billion due to changes in the engineering and construction contracts.

Despite the setbacks, TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné reaffirmed in December 2024 the company’s commitment to the project, considering it profitable and strategic. Pouyanné plans to discuss with Daniel Chapo the conditions for restarting activities and securing financing through credit agencies.

With a long career at TotalEnergies, Cambefort held leadership positions on large-scale projects, such as Director of the Indonesian Projects Division between 2010 and 2014, before returning to the Paris headquarters. Since 2016, he has led several ambitious initiatives, always focused on achieving the defined objectives and maximizing the benefits expected by stakeholders.

Now, alongside Maxime Rabilloud, Director of TotalEnergies in Mozambique since 2021, Cambefort will be tasked with coordinating the development of Mozambique LNG amid logistical, political and security challenges.

With the official postponement of the project’s start date to the first quarter of 2029, TotalEnergies has adjusted its strategies to ensure the success of the initiative. The company expects Mozambique LNG, together with other projects such as Qatar NFE/NFS and Papua LNG, to contribute significantly to global LNG production by 2028.

The resumption of the project will not only boost Mozambique’s economy, but will also strengthen the country’s role as a leading exporter of natural gas on the international market. However, the future of the project depends on a combination of local and international efforts to stabilize the region and ensure the safety of operations.

Source: Integrity