The African nation of Congo on Tuesday became the latest liquefied natural gas exporter to begin producing its first cargo, a year after Italian energy company ENI launched the Congo LNG project with local partners.
ENI said in a statement that the first cargo ship loaded with LNG will head to Italy’s regasification plant in Piombino, Tuscany, in the coming days.
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“With the first cargo, the Republic of Congo joins the group of LNG exporting countries, opening up opportunities for economic growth while contributing to the global energy balance,” ENI said.
The Congolese flag flies alongside the Chinese flag at the Palais des Congrès in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo on March 29, 2013. (Junior D. Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
ENI and its partners will share workforce, know-how and technology to “secure further revenues for the country while contributing to Europe’s energy security,” CEO Claudio Descalzi said in a statement.
The project will produce 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, which will be used to heat homes and businesses. It is formed when gas is cooled to approximately -260°F so that it can be safely stored and transported in specially designed containers.
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Europe has been searching for new energy sources since it moved to cut off supplies from Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. According to the ISPI think tank, sales of Russian gas abroad have fallen by 40% since the invasion.
