Angola's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project has opened a tender for the sale of its first cargo after the unexpected shutdown in April 2014.

This LNG export plant was closed in April 2014, 10 months after it sent its first cargo of LNG due to a major break on a flare line.

According to trader sources, the cargo was laden on the Sonangol Sambizanga tanker and the submission of bids for the tender are expected on June 13.

The recently refurbished export plant will temporarily produce a limited amount of cargoes and will be shut down again for further testing.

The LNG plant, which is situated in Soyo, is a single-train facility with the capacity to produce 5.2 million tonnes annually as well as a committed fleet of seven LNG tankers.

Angola LNG is a joint venture between state oil company Sonangol, Chevron, BP, Eni and Total with 22.8%, 36.4%, 13.6%, 13.6%, 13.6% interests respectively, Reuters reports.

Anita Fatunji