The President of Coral FLNG SA and General Manager of Eni Rovuma Basin, Marica Calabrese, said on Wednesday (May 6) in Maputo that the Coral North project represents the next major chapter in Mozambique’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, with production expected to begin in 2028.
Speaking at the 12th Mozambique Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (MMEC 2026), she highlighted the progress of the Area 4 projects in the Rovuma Basin and the performance of Coral South, which marked the first production of gas from the basin.
“Coral South was the first project to bring Rovuma Basin gas into production. Today we have an operational stability that is practically unmatched by any similar project in the world,” she said. According to Calabrese, the Coral South platform, operational since 2022, is currently the only floating ultra-deepwater gas production unit in operation worldwide.
She explained that Coral North has already entered the construction phase following approval of its development plan and final investment decision last year. According to her, the new project incorporates technical and operational improvements based on experience gained from Coral South.
“Coral North will be better than Coral South in terms of production, benefits for the government, local content, and economic impact for the country,” she said.
Calabrese also emphasized ENI’s commitment to local content, noting that the participation of Mozambican companies should become an opportunity for international competitiveness. “Local content is not just a legal requirement. It is something natural in any major project,” she stated.
She added that the company has been promoting training programs, seminars, and meetings with local businesses and universities to better prepare Mozambican firms to participate more competitively in the gas industry.
ENI also said it is running initiatives to increase the participation of Mozambican companies in areas such as logistics, drilling, specialized services, and operations. During her presentation, Calabrese encouraged local companies to take part in the “Open Day” programs, designed to connect local suppliers with opportunities in the energy sector.
She further acknowledged the potential future development of a third floating LNG platform in Mozambique, reinforcing the country’s role in the global energy market.
MMEC 2026 takes place on May 6–7 in Maputo, bringing together government representatives, investors, oil companies, mining firms, and national and international experts to discuss challenges and opportunities in energy, mining, and industrialization.
Text: Felisberto Ruco
