Eni Begins Drilling for Second Mozambique FLNG Project

Eni and its Area 4 partners have commenced the drilling campaign for Coral North, the second floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project located in the offshore waters of Mozambique. The move signals a formal commitment to expanding the production footprint in the Rovuma Basin following the successful deployment of the Coral Sul FLNG vessel.

The transition to the drilling phase for Coral North indicates that the project partners are moving toward a standardized development model for deepwater gas monetization. By initiating this campaign, Eni is effectively scaling the infrastructure established for its predecessor, suggesting a strategic preference for modular, sea-based liquefaction over the more complex onshore alternatives that have faced significant regional delays.

For the maritime sector, this development secures sustained demand for high-specification deepwater drilling rigs and specialized offshore support vessels in the East African corridor. It also provides a clearer long-term outlook for the LNG carrier market, as the addition of a second FLNG unit will increase the frequency of cargo liftings and export volumes originating from the region.

The drilling start comes amid a broader period of operational expansion for Eni, which has also recently seen the commencement of production at the Maha gas field in Indonesia and the awarding of new contracts for gas projects in Cyprus alongside TotalEnergies.

Source: LNG Prime