Eni launches Congo LNG Phase 2 ahead of schedule

Phase 2 of its Congo LNG project is underway, Italy-headquartered oil and gas major Eni said.

Eni’s floating liquefaction unit Nguya FLNG has arrived offshore central Africa’s western coast and gas has been introduced into the new offshore infrastructure system, according to the company.

Eni said its goal is to export the first LNG cargo from the project in early 2026.

Congo LNG Phase 2 includes three production platforms as well as a dedicated gas treatment, separation and compression unit, Scarabeo 5, that was converted from a drilling rig, and now Nguya FLNG, used for liquefaction and export. The combined infrastructure on site now brings the overall project’s capacity to 3M tonnes per annum, equivalent to 4.5Bn m3 per year, according to Eni.

"This integrated configuration enables the full development of gas resources from the offshore Nené and Litchendjili fields, in the Marine XII licence, and ensures flexible, phased management of volumes, guaranteeing a steady flow to both the Tango FLNG unit, operational since late 2023, and Nguya FLNG," Eni said.

"Phase 2 has come on stream ahead of the project schedule, just 35 months after construction of Nguya FLNG began."

According to Eni, Nguya FLNG, at 376-m long and 60-m wide, is designed to process gases of differing composition, supporting the potential development of additional fields in the area. 

The FLNG had its sail away ceremony at the Wison New Energies Nantong shipyard in Shanghai, China, earlier in 2025.

Congo LNG is structured in phases, with Nguya FLNG forming part of a planned expansion phase. The company noted the project will enhance LNG output from the area as further phases are brought online, with the vessel’s design making it suitable for the development of future fields.