Eni Accepting Design Proposals for FLNG Plant in Mozambique

Eni has invited interested companies to put forward design proposals for a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in Mozambique.

A source close to the matter said Eni announced its request for so-called front-end engineering and design (FEED) proposals in local media.

Eni is looking to export recent finds in the East African country thought to contain gas resources of more than 85 tcf to Asia.

Some of the world's biggest offshore natural gas fields lie off the coast of Mozambique.

Eni holds a controlling stake in the gas-rich Area 4 field in Mozambique's Rovuma Basin, which is estimated to hold more than 150 tcf.

As part of its project it plans to build onshore and offshore gas liquefaction plants aimed at mainly Asian markets and local consumption.

A final investment decision (FID) is expected before the end of 2015, with production start-up due in 2020.