About 75 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves found in offshore Rovuma Area-1, where Indian firms led by ONGC Videsh Ltd hold a total of 30 per cent stake, are to be converted into LNG for transportation by ships to consuming nations like India.
US firm Anadarko Petroleum Corp, the operator of the block, in a statement announced the selection of a consortium consisting of CB&I, Chiyoda Corporation and Saipem (CCS JV) for the initial development of the onshore LNG park in Mozambique.
The onshore LNG park includes two LNG trains, each with capacity of 6 million tons per annum, which is an increase of 1 million tons per train over the original plan.
"I am incredibly proud of our co-venture for all of the accomplishments achieved to date, including securing more than 8 million tonnes per annum in non-binding long-term off-take agreements, which are now progressing toward binding SPAs (Sales and Purchase Agreements)," he said.
An estimated USD 18.4 billion will be required to bring first set of discoveries in Rovuma Area-1 on to production and convert that gas into liquid (liquefied natural gas or LNG) for ease of shipping to consuming nations like India.
OVL had in 2013 bought Videocon's 10 per cent stake in the Rovuma Area-1 for USD 2.475 billion. It followed this up by acquiring another 10 per cent stake in the same field from Anadarko Petroleum Corp of the US for USD 2.64 billion. The 10 per cent stake of Videocon was split in 60:40 ratio with Oil India Ltd (OIL).
Woodlands, Texas-based energy-exploration company Anadarko is the operator of the block with 26.5 per cent stake while a unit of BPCL has 10 per cent interest. Other partners in Area 1 include Mitsui with 20 per cent stake, ENH (15 per cent) and PTTEP (8.5 per cent).
