Area 4 Co-Venture Parties Secure Offtake Commitments for the Rovuma LNG Project

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  • Area 4 has secured sufficient offtake commitments from affiliated buyers of the co-venture parties to move towards a final investment decision for the Rovuma LNG project
  • Affiliate buyer commitments will provide a foundation to secure project financing
  • Government reviewing proposed development plan; production expected to commence in 2024

MAPUTO, Mozambique--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Area 4 co-venture participants have secured liquefied natural gas (LNG) offtake commitments from affiliated buyer entities of the partners, a key milestone enabling the participants to rapidly move toward a final investment decision in 2019 on the first phase of the Rovuma LNG project. Area 4 participants are ExxonMobil, Eni, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, Kogas and Galp.

Those commitments are subject to the conclusion of fully-termed agreements, which will be finalized and initialed in the next weeks, and the approval of the government of Mozambique.

“The Rovuma LNG marketing team has worked at an accelerated pace to reach this important milestone, a tremendous achievement made possible by the strength of the Area 4 co-venture parties and the support of the government of Mozambique,” said Peter Clarke, president of ExxonMobil Gas and Power Marketing Company.

Massimo Mantovani, Eni chief gas and LNG marketing and power officer, said, “These commitments are an important step forward for the Rovuma LNG project and provide a solid foundation for securing project financing. This achievement highlights the strength of our partnership and commitment to developing Mozambique’s natural resources.”

In July 2018, Mozambique Rovuma Venture submitted the development plan to the government of Mozambique for the first phase of the Rovuma LNG project. The project will produce, liquefy and market natural gas from the Mamba fields located in the Area 4 block in the Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique. ExxonMobil will lead construction and operation of natural gas liquefaction and related facilities on behalf of the Area 4 joint venture, and Eni will lead construction and operation of upstream facilities.

The development plan for the first phase of the Rovuma LNG project specifies the proposed design and construction of two liquefied natural gas trains, which will each produce 7.6 million tons of LNG per year. Mozambique Rovuma Venture is currently holding productive discussions with the Mozambican government on development plan details.

In addition to generating government revenues, the proposed Rovuma LNG project will support long-term economic growth in Mozambique by developing the local workforce, building the capabilities of and demand for local suppliers, and assisting with community development efforts.

Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., an incorporated joint venture owned by ExxonMobil, Eni and CNPC, holds a 70 percent participation interest in the Area 4 exploration and production concession contract alongside Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, Galp and Kogas, each of which hold a 10 percent interest.

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Cautionary Statement: Statements of future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including project plans, capacities and timing, could vary depending on changes in long-term prices for oil and natural gas and other market factors affecting the oil and gas industry; the outcome of commercial negotiations; the ability to secure project financing on acceptable terms; obtaining necessary government approvals; final co-venturer investment decisions; the outcome of future development work; economic conditions including the occurrence and duration of economic recessions; changes in government policies or regulations, including tax and environmental requirements; the actions of competitors; and other factors discussed in this release and under the heading “Factors Affecting Future Results” on the Investors page of ExxonMobil’s website at exxonmobil.com. References to natural gas, resources, and similar terms in this release include quantities that are not classified as proved reserves under SEC regulations but that we expect will ultimately be produced and moved to the proved reserve category.

**Shorthand references herein are used for convenience only. Nothing contained herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of affiliated companies or co-venture parties.

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Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation

Released December 28, 2018