ABL expands its scope of work at Congo’s first LNG project

Italian energy giant Eni has given more work to energy and marine consultancy ABL for the first natural gas liquefaction project in Congo, with the Norwegian company set to provide marine warranty survey services (MWS) for the second phase of the project.

The Congo LNG project, designed to exploit the gas resources of the Marine XII project with the installation of two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units at the Nenè and Litchendjili fields, is envisioned to have an overall LNG production capacity of 3 million tons per year or approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters per year from 2025.

A year after a final investment decision (FID) was taken, the first FLNG unit, known as Tango with 0.6 mtpa capacity, started its deliveries of LNG to international markets in February 2024, enabling the Congo to join the exporters’ club. The second FLNG plant, currently under construction, is expected to be in operation by the end of next year, with a capacity of 2.4 mtpa.

ABL has been appointed to provide MWS services for the offshore transportation and installation (T&I) campaign for Phase 2 of the Marine XII Congo LNG development project. This phase includes the fabrication, transportation and installation of a new FLNG vessel, a converted floating separation, storage and booster unit (FSU), wellhead platforms and associated tie-in pipelines and ancillaries.

The company is also in charge of the technical review of key project and procedural documentation, drawings and calculations, the suitability surveys of the proposed marine fleet for all T&I operations, and on-site attendance to review and approve attendances for warranted operations.

ABL’s operation in France will lead the scope of work, with the project expected to run from 2024 until the completion of the offshore works. The company has also supported Phase 1 since February 2023.

“Winning this latest project in the Congo is a testament to the successful work we have been doing in the country over many years, establishing ABL France as the leading technical consultant for the successful and safe delivery of energy infrastructure projects in Africa’s Francophone countries,” said Guillaume Henin, Operational Manager of ABL’s activities in Congo.