France’s GEOCEAN Completes Crucial Step for Congo LNG Mooring System

France’s marine contractor GEOCEAN has successfully achieved a key milestone in the installation of a mooring system for a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit off the coast of Congo, Africa. This development is crucial for Eni’s Congo LNG project in the Marine XII block.

The completion of the FLNG mooring system involved the deployment of a drilling guide template and diving operations to ensure alignment and safety in a challenging offshore environment. This achievement follows the earlier mobilization of the jack-up barge La Sianna in March 2025, which provided an optimal working platform for the project.

The latest phase involved the transportation of a 57-meter-long casing weighing 167 tonnes to the location using the Topaz Faye platform supply vessel (PSV). The casing was then inserted into the drilling template, paving the way for the next steps in the project.

With the foundation of the mooring system set, GEOCEAN can proceed with the drilling and installation of the first anchor pile. Once three anchor piles are in place, the stability of the FLNG unit will be ensured, allowing for further progress in the project.

Expansion Plans for Congo LNG Project

The Congo LNG project, which began exporting natural gas in February 2024 using FLNG Tango, has been a significant success. The project currently produces 1 billion cubic meters (cbm) per year of LNG and aims to unlock further gas resources in the Marine XII project.

The second phase of the project involves the construction of another FLNG unit, set to commence by the end of 2025. This expansion is expected to increase annual production to 4.5 billion cbm, marking a substantial growth for the project.

Strategic Partnership and Portfolio Optimization

In a strategic move, Eni recently announced a deal to offload 25% of its 65% participating interest in the Congo LNG project to Vitol. This decision aligns with Eni’s strategy to optimize its upstream activities by rebalancing its portfolio and focusing on sustainable growth opportunities.

The successful completion of the mooring system by GEOCEAN marks a significant step forward for the Congo LNG project, setting the stage for further expansion and increased production capacity in the near future.