According to Eni’s official press release, the arrival of the Nguya FLNG unit offshore Congo and the introduction of gas into the new offshore infrastructure mark the early start of Phase 2 of the Congo LNG Project, with the first LNG cargo expected in early 2026.
This milestone represents a significant step forward in the development of the Marine XII license and further strengthens the Republic of Congo’s position in the global LNG market.
For Key Solution, whose engineering team contributed to the NGUYA FLNG development, this achievement confirms the value of integrated planning, advanced automation, and execution excellence in complex offshore environments.
Integrated Infrastructure and Increased Capacity
Phase 2 includes:
– Three production platforms
– The Scarabeo 5 unit, converted into a gas treatment and compression facility
– The Nguya FLNG for liquefaction and export
With this configuration, the total project capacity reaches 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) — equivalent to approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
The integrated system enables full utilization of gas resources from the offshore Nené and Litchendjili fields, ensuring flexible and progressive volume management. Gas flows continuously to both the Tango FLNG (operational since late 2023) and the Nguya FLNG, optimizing production stability and export capability.
According to Eni, Phase 2 entered operation ahead of schedule, just 35 months after construction began on the Nguya FLNG, setting a new international benchmark for execution speed and efficiency in the LNG sector.
Innovation, Circular Economy and Decarbonization
The Nguya FLNG- 376 meters long and 60 meters wide- is designed with advanced technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and process gas with varying compositions, enabling potential future field developments.
A key element of Phase 2 is the transformation of Scarabeo 5 from a drilling rig into a floating treatment, separation, and compression unit. This industrial reuse approach represents a concrete example of circular economy principles, reducing both environmental impact and development costs while meeting ambitious execution timelines.
From a Key Solution perspective, projects of this scale demonstrate how automation, process optimization, and robust control systems are fundamental to ensuring operational reliability in high-performance LNG infrastructure.
“We are proud to have supported NGUYA FLNG from commissioning in the shipyard through towing and final start-up offshore,” said Fabio Matricardi, Senior Engineer at Key Solution, highlighting our commitment to safe, reliable project delivery.
Local Value Creation and Long-Term Impact
As highlighted by Eni, a significant portion of the project was executed directly in Congo, strengthening local industrial capabilities and enhancing the skills of the Congolese workforce.
Eni, present in the Republic of Congo for over 55 years, continues to play a central role in the country’s energy development. The company supplies gas to the Congo Power Plant, which provides approximately 70% of national electricity generation capacity, and contributes to grid reinforcement projects such as the rehabilitation of the high-voltage transmission line between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville.
In parallel, Eni promotes energy transition initiatives, including agri-feedstock projects that integrate Congo into the biofuel value chain and support agro-industrial development, alongside programs improving access to energy, water, healthcare, and economic diversification for local communities.
Source Eni: https://www.eni.com/it-IT/media/comunicati-stampa/2025/12/cs-eni-avvia-fase-2-congo-lng.html
