In Mozambique, the Managing Director of Eni East Africa has announced that there is still hope of a final investment decision on natural gas exploration in the Rovuma basin this year.

According to Fabio Castiglioni, the approval of the development plan of the Coral Sul field in area 4 of the Rovuma basin in February was a major step in the progress towards the final investment decision of the project which involves the extraction of natural gas and liquefaction using a floating platform.

He said the development plan was the Phase 1 of gas exploration, as the project will be subjected to specific development plans to be approved later by the government.

Upon the approval of the development plan, Eni and its partners in the Area 4 block (which includes Galp Energia, Kogas and ENH) will develop a local plan aimed at maximizing local potential to supply goods and services as well as the recruitment and development of skilled labor, Macauhub reports.

Anita Fatunji