Tanzanian presidential candidate promises to stop LNG plant delays

According to Reuters, John Magufuli has claimed that, if he is successfully elected as the President of Tanzania, he will remove any barriers to the construction of an LNG plant in the country. The plant has been planned by Shell, Statoil, ExxonMobil and Ophir Energy – with 2020 being the proposed start-up date – but a final investment decision (FID) has been delayed due to finalising issues.

Reuters claims that Mozambique also aims to build an LNG plant, and that analysts believe that those who come on stream first will be the ones to get the best long-term gas deals. Whilst this will be a pressing issue for Magufuli, January Makamba (Campaign Director of Magufuli’s party) claims that the presidential candidate would also aim to improve existing rail connections with Tanzania’s neighbouring countries, and also try to expand light manufacturing operations that are currently underway in Tanzania.

Reuters reports that Makamba said: “We know that it is a competition. If the neighbouring country Mozambique gets its own (plant) running, ours will not be viable.

"it will change the landscape of Tanzania's economy.”

Edited from various sources by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/28102015/tanzanian-presidential-candidate-promises-to-stop-lng-plant-delays-1540/