Italian integrated energy company Eni has successfully dispatched the initial cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Nguya FLNG floating facility, marking a significant milestone for Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project. The ceremony, which took place in Pointe-Noire, was attended by Congo President Denis Sassou N’Guesso and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi.
Eni’s strategic goal is to expand its LNG portfolio to 20 million tonnes per annum by 2030, and the commercial operation of the Nguya FLNG facility is a step towards achieving this target. Phase 2 of the project has increased the liquefaction capacity to three million tonnes per annum, equating to 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The gas resources for this phase are sourced from the Nené and Litchendjili fields in the offshore Marine XII license area.
The Congo LNG project highlights Eni’s capability to convert gas resources into valuable assets for local and global markets, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. Phase 1 of the project commenced with the Tango FLNG liquefaction unit and achieved start-up in December 2023, just over a year after the project’s inception phase. In contrast, Phase 2 start-up was completed within 35 months of commencing the construction of the Nguya FLNG unit.
Having operated in the Republic of Congo since 1968, Eni is a key player in producing associated and non-associated gas, with an expected equity production of 110 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2026. Eni supplies gas to the Congo Power Plant, which generates approximately 70% of the country’s electricity.
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress, stating, “Today we reach a very important milestone thanks to the relationship of trust built with the country’s institutions and local communities. We have been the only company to invest in gas to develop the domestic market and to reduce routine flaring. This decision, taken more than 20 years ago, led us to discover enough volumes to enable export as well.”
In December 2025, Eni signed a long-term LNG sales agreement with Thailand-based energy operator Gulf Development Company, further solidifying its presence in the global LNG market. The successful dispatch of the initial LNG cargo from the Nguya facility underscores Eni’s commitment to enhancing gas availability on international markets while benefiting the local economy.
The article “Eni dispatches initial LNG cargo from Congo’s Nguya facility” was originally published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
