By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
The Republic of the Congo has joined the ranks of African liquefied natural gas exporters as it shipped its first LNG cargo to Europe, marking the start of a new era for the central African nation’s energy industry.
In a press statement made known to The Energy Republic, The LNG cargo was loaded at the Pointe Noire terminal and will be delivered to Italy’s Piombino regasification plant in the coming days, according to a statement from Eni SpA, the Italian oil and gas company that operates the Congo LNG project.
Based on our findings, the project, which was sanctioned in December 2022 and commissioned its initial phase a few months ago, will ultimately produce about 4.5 billion cubic meters of LNG per year from the offshore Marine XII permit.
It will also eliminate gas flaring from Eni’s operated activities in the country, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability.
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said the first LNG cargo from Congo was the result of the strong commitment of Eni and its partners, as well as the unwavering support of the Congolese government.
“Eni and the local partners shared work forces, know-how and technologies, ensuring additional revenues to the country while contributing to Europe’s energy security,” he said.
The first LNG shipment was celebrated by the President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou-N’Guesso and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eni Giuseppe Zafarana, who attended a ceremony at the Pointe Noire terminal.
Eni has been present in Congo since 1968 and is the only company active in the development of the country’s gas resources. It currently supplies gas to the Centrale Électrique du Congo, which provides 70% of the country ‘s power generation capacity.