Italian engineering contractor Saipem and consortium partner Jan De Nul have signed a letter of intent with ExxonMobil Mozambique for the Rovuma LNG Phase 1 development in Mozambique.
The agreement, signed on behalf of Mozambique Rovuma Venture, covers preliminary engineering, procurement and technical services to support project definition and execution planning. The initial value is approximately €11 million ($13 million).
Mozambique Rovuma Venture represents the Area 4 partners Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), CNPC, Eni, KOGAS and XRG.
A final award for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation contract remains subject to a positive investment decision by the Area 4 partners, as well as regulatory and government approvals. Saipem said these approvals are expected in 2026.
The planned upstream facilities are intended to transport natural gas from offshore Area 4 resources to the onshore Rovuma LNG liquefaction plant.
The development is expected to involve 18 subsea wells connected through a network of pipelines and manifolds.
The prospective contract would cover installation of subsea infrastructure, including gas export pipelines, umbilicals, infield flowlines and associated facilities across shallow and deepwater areas.