Nguya FLNG has completed tests and will begin production in Congo LNG’s second phase
Eni has confirmed the Nguya floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit is complete and ready to start production as part of Phase 2 of the company’s offshore Congo LNG project.
In a statement, the company said the commissioning and testing activities on the unit had been completed, enabling the project to move forward into its next phase.
The FLNG has had its sail away ceremony at the Wison New Energies Nantong shipyard in Shanghai, China, and will be relocated offshore Congo to support the country’s liquefied natural gas ambitions.
Eni added the vessel is expected to begin production shortly and will contribute to the Congo LNG development.The company described the completion of commissioning as an important step in advancing the project’s timeline.
Congo LNG is structured in phases, with the Nguya FLNG forming part of the planned expansion. The company noted the project will enhance LNG output from the area as further phases are brought online, with the vessel’s design making it suitable for the development of future fields.
Eni stated the unit is now operationally ready and Phase 2 of the project will commence in line with its development plans.
The Nguya unit, 376-m long and 60-m wide, will be moored at a depth of 35 m. The vessel was, according to Eni, conceived, designed, and built in 33 months, which the company claims is a record time-to-market for the LNG sector.
In conjunction with the FLNG unit, Eni said it had completed refurbishment of a new floating production and compression that was formerly the Scarabeo 5 drilling rig. Eni said the rig will depart “in the coming days” for the Congo LNG project where it will be used to send processed gas to the Nguya unit.
Work on the subsea infrastructure required to launch Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project is progressing on schedule, enabling mooring and startup by the end of 2025, Eni said.
Tango FLNG (0.6 MTPA) began production at Congo LNG in December 2023 and has, to date, exported 12 cargoes. It will be joined by the Nguya FLNG (2.4 MTPA) by the end of 2025, bringing the total capacity of the Congo LNG project to 3 MTPA.
