Photo caption: Eni logo
Eni has begun Phase 2 of its Congo LNG development ahead of schedule, setting the stage for first cargo exports in early 2026.
The company confirmed that the Nguya FLNG unit has arrived offshore Congo and that gas has now been introduced into the new subsea and platform network, enabling the project to start operations earlier than planned.
The second phase adds three offshore platforms, the Scarabeo 5 gas-processing and compression unit, and the new Nguya FLNG vessel, raising total Congo LNG capacity to 3 mtpa—equivalent to roughly 4.5 bcm per year. This buildout allows full monetization of gas from the Nené and Litchendjili fields in the Marine XII block and ensures smoother volume allocation between the Tango FLNG, in service since late 2023, and the Nguya unit.
Phase 2 reached start-up just 35 months after construction of the Nguya FLNG began—an unusually fast cycle in the LNG sector and a milestone Eni says reflects tighter industrial planning, modular design, and strong engagement with Congolese stakeholders. A substantial portion of construction and integration work was completed domestically, further deepening Congo’s industrial capabilities.
The Nguya FLNG—376 meters long and 60 meters wide—uses emissions-reducing technologies and can process variable gas compositions, positioning it to handle output from future fields. Scarabeo 5, converted from a drilling rig into a gas-treatment and compression unit, also incorporates decarbonization features and is highlighted by Eni as a model for circular industrial reuse.
The Congo LNG project is central to Eni’s long-term strategy in the Republic of the Congo, where it has operated for more than 55 years. Beyond LNG exports, the company supplies gas to the Centrale Électrique du Congo, responsible for 70% of national power generation, and is supporting upgrades to the country’s transmission grid. Eni is also advancing agricultural feedstock programs for biofuels and broader community initiatives on energy access, water, healthcare, and economic diversification.
The accelerated launch of Phase 2 comes amid a broader rise in Africa’s LNG ambitions, with FLNG deployments gaining traction as a faster, more flexible pathway to unlock offshore gas. For Europe in particular, Congo LNG adds incremental diversification as traditional pipeline supplies tighten.
=== Oilprice.com ===
