Maputo, 7 May (AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Wednesday expressed his concern at progressive depletion of natural gas reserves in the Pande and Temane fields, in the southern Inhambane province.
Both fields are operated by the South African petrochemical giant Sasol.
According to the President, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th Mozambique Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition, there is a need to establish coordinated responses to guarantee regional energy security.
“One of the challenges that has most concerned the industry of Mozambique, South Africa, and the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) is related to the progressive reduction of gas reserves in the Pande and Temane fields”, he said.
Faced with a reality he described as “unavoidable,” the President highlighted that the government has been acting responsibly and with a sense of urgency to guarantee the continuity of natural gas production and energy stability between 2020 and 2030.
Among the main solutions presented is the creation of an integrated logistics company, designed to enable a floating gas storage and liquefaction unit in Inhassoro district.
According to Chapo, this infrastructure represents more than an immediate response to the decline in reserves.
“It represents a strategic choice to guarantee energy security, protect the existing industrial base, and prepare for the energy future of our economy and region,” he said.
Chapo believes that connecting this unit to the regional gas pipeline will allow for continued supply to both Mozambique and South Africa, as well as other markets throughout the SADC region.
He also highlighted the role of the gas pipeline operated by ROMPCO, classifying it as a solid example of regional cooperation and public-private partnership over the last two decades.
ROMPCO is a joint venture company operating a 865km pipeline transporting natural gas from Pande and Temane fields to South Africa.
He explained that the shareholding structure reflects a shared commitment between the States and the private sector to sustainable energy development.
“The government is accelerating coordination for the implementation of the Inhassoro project, mobilizing the National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) and strategic partners to ensure rapid and rigorous execution. The process will be monitored at the highest level, with direct oversight from the Council of Ministers (cabinet)”, he said.
President also encouraged the expansion of the regional gas pipeline network, aiming to position Mozambican gas as crucial for energy integration and economic development in SADC region, covering countries such as Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and, at a future stage, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In addition to the immediate response to the decline in reserves, Chapo highlighted the need to invest in integrated infrastructure, including ports, railways, energy and logistics, as pillars to transform Mozambique into a regional hub serving SADC and the African continent.
(AIM)
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