Construction of a $2 billion gas processing plant, with the capacity to process 400 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, is set to commence at the end of the year, in the municipality of Soyo in Angola’s Zaire province. The project is led by the New Gas Consortium (NGC), a consortium of companies established as a joint venture in November 2019 for the exploration and production of natural gas in Angola. Operated by Eni in partnership with BP, Chevron, Total and Sonangol, the consortium represents the first upstream natural gas partnership in Angola.
The construction of the plant is estimated to take two years and will occupy an area of 100 hectares in the village of Kivinca Nvemba.
Initial developments will begin with a phase of public consultation, the removal of landmines in the area, project data surveys and an environmental impact study. It is estimated that at least 3,000 jobs will be created by the construction of the plant, which will be reduced to 100 when the plant enters into operation.
Once construction is completed, the Angola LNG plant will receive the bulk of the gas processed in the new facility, to be exported in liquid form to foreign markets. A portion of the gas may also be directed to the Soyo combined cycle power plant that is connected to the national grid.
Angola LNG is an integrated project for the exploration of natural gas and potential development of non-associated gas, with a processing plant, a sea terminal and loading facilities. Its $12 billion gas-liquefying facility located in Soyo is designed to process 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and has the capacity to produce 5.2 million tons of LNG per year. The company is comprised of the same partners as the NGC and has been in operation since 2013.
