Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) took a significant step towards strengthening its presence in the oil and gas sector by signing a shareholders’ agreement last Friday in Maputo with Saipem International B.V., representing the Italian multinational services company SAIPEM. The partnership, which aims to create a company dedicated to providing offshore drilling services, is part of ENH’s strategy to specialise and nationalise advanced technical services in the country, according to the newspaper Noticias.
According to the information provided, the new company will have a share capital divided 51 per cent between ENH and 49 per cent between Saipem. The partnership is valid for eight years, with the possibility of renewal upon agreement between the parties.
The company’s main objective will be to operate an offshore drilling platform, ensuring adequate skills, efficient management systems and compliance with Hygiene, Health and Safety (HSE) standards, contributing to the development of hydrocarbon exploration and production operations in Mozambique.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Carlos Zacarias, and the Chairman of ENH’s Board of Directors, Ludovina Bernardo. During the ceremony, the impact of the initiative on ENH’s technical and operational capacity was emphasised, bringing the company closer to its goal of becoming a direct operator in the sector.
Boosting the nationalisation of services
The partnership with Saipem will enable ENH to gain practical experience in providing specialised services, consolidating its position on the national and international market. ‘This agreement is a milestone for the nationalisation of drilling services and for ENH’s active participation in hydrocarbon projects, from the research phase through to production,’ said the chairwoman of the company’s board of directors.
The company will also contribute to the creation of qualified jobs and the transfer of technology, strengthening the local labour force and adding value to the Mozambican energy sector.
Assets and strategic vision
ENH’s main assets include stakes in exploration and production concession contracts, a natural gas processing centre and an 850-kilometre gas pipeline linking Pande/Temane in Mozambique to the Secunda region in South Africa. With this new partnership, ENH aims to maximise the impact of these assets, expanding the use of natural gas in the domestic market and ensuring efficient supply to local and international customers.
In addition, ENH owns complementary infrastructure, including workshop facilities, warehouses and residential complexes in Vilankulo and Maputo, which will serve as a base for logistical support for the new drilling operations.
A promising future for the sector
The signing of this agreement represents a joint effort to align the Mozambican oil and gas industry with international standards, positioning the country as a relevant player in the global energy market. Saipem, with its vast experience in offshore operations, will bring technical expertise that will be gradually integrated by ENH, promoting a sustainable approach focused on creating value for Mozambique.
