(Ecofin Agency) - ExxonMobil is to partner Eni and others in the exploration of natural gas in Area 4 of the Rovuma basin in Mozambique, the Chairman of ENH, Omar Mitha, has revealed.

According to him, ExxonMobil’s entry is a big advantage for the country particularly due to the company’s experience in the global production and distribution of natural gas.

“We are talking about a major player in the global gas market, so this entry is a clear sign that our country is desirable. It is also expected that the context will change because, at the moment it is not favorable, as there is an excess of supply against demand and also because there was a change from a technological point of view, with shale gas gaining a certain dominance in the market,” Mitha said.

The Rovuma Basin has the most significant gas reserves, so far discovered in Mozambique at about 180 trillion cubic feet. A part of these reserves are located in Area 1, operated by Anadarko.The exploration of these resources could place Mozambique amongst the world’s three largest producers of natural gas, Macauhub reports.

“ExxonMobil is already working in Mozambique and we have had regular meetings as partners firstly in the fifth tender in which it has fields in Angoche and in the Sofala and Zambezi blocks and, secondly, in relation to its entry in Area 4,” the Chairman of ENH’s Board of Directors said.

Area 4 is currently operated by Eni in partnership with Mozambican oil and gas company ENH, Kogas and GALP.

Anita Fatunji