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26-10-2026 | SAIPEM 12000 DRILLSHIP DEPLOYS TO MOZAMBIQUE TO COMMENCE CORAL NORTE DEVELOPMENT WELL DRILLING CAMPAIGN

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Maputo

INP leads the inter-institutional commission inspecting the drillship’s technical, safety, and environmental compliance as part of the operational licensing process in Mozambique.

The SAIPEM 12000 drillship arrived yesterday, October 25, in Cabo Delgado Province, to execute the development drilling campaign for the Coral Norte FLNG project. Consequently, an inspection commission led by the National Petroleum Institute (INP), the Petroleum Regulatory Authority, initiates an audit on October 27 to evaluate the vessel’s technical, operational, occupational health, safety, and environmental protection conditions, as well as its compliance with the submitted project specifications and legal prerequisites for the issuance of the Operating License.

“The inspection ensures that the drillship meets all statutory requirements to operate safely, safeguarding personnel, facility integrity, and environmental protection,” explained Dércio Monteiro, INP Director of Compliance and Safety.

Alongside the INP, the multi-agency commission comprises representatives from the sectors of Health, Environment, Labor, and the National Public Rescue Service. This offshore inspection follows an initial audit conducted by the same team between October 13 and 15 in Pemba, which evaluated the onshore logistical support bases of contractors supporting the drilling platform operations.

“The assessment covers both the drillship and the support infrastructure supporting the drilling campaign. The objective is to verify that all necessary operational prerequisites are satisfied prior to license issuance,” added Dércio Monteiro.

The drilling and well completion campaign, scheduled to commence on November 1, 2026, has an estimated duration of 270 days and encompasses up to six development wells, comprising four in the primary phase and two in the secondary phase.

The wells will supply natural gas to the Coral Norte FLNG project, which was approved in April 2025 by the Council of Ministers via Decree No. 9/2025 of April 11. Construction of the floating liquefaction unit is currently underway in South Korea, boasting an overall progress rate of 72 percent. Planned for first gas in 2028, the project will operate alongside Coral Sul FLNG, which has been in commercial operation since 2022, expanding Mozambique’s overall LNG production and export capacity.

Information: National Petroleum Institute (INP) | Headquarters: Rua dos Desportistas, Nº 259, Maputo, Mozambique Telephone: +258 21248300 | Email: comunicacao@inp.gov.mz

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AREA 1

Following the 2nd open competition for the granting of areas for the research and production of hydrocarbons, the companies Anadarko Mozambique Area 1 and the National Hydrocarbon Company were awarded Area 1 in offshore environment of the Rovuma Basin. The area is located in the northern part of Cabo Delgado Province, in shallow to very deep waters. The Hydrocarbon Research and Production Areas Grant Agreement (CCPP) was signed on 20 December 2006 and is effective as of 1 February 2007.

PROSPERITY DISCOVERING AREA

Median estimate of 43 tcf (cubic foot trillions) of gas.

4 Transzonal Reservoirs:

  • Upper North Oligocene;
  • Upper South Oligocene;
  • Oligocene Lower;
  • Upper Eocene;

TUBARAN DISCOVER AREA

Median estimate of 3.4 (cubic foot trillions) Tcf of natural gas.

THE AREA OF DISCOVERMENT

Median estimate of 8.4 Tcf (cubulated foot trillions) of natural gas

The Paleocene Reservoirs.

THE AREA OF DISCOVERMENT

Tigris Shark Discovery Area (1254 km2), has 3 reservoirs of the Cretaceous (K1,K2 and K3), the K2 being the best in Orca and Shark-Tigre and has a median estimate of 0.323 Tcf (cubic foot trillions) of natural gas.

UNKNOWN TUGRE AND ORCA (CRETACICO LEQUE 1, 2 E 3), ROVUMA OFFSHORE AREA 1

The complete technical evaluation of the potential of the Cretaceous in Area 1, between the Areas of Discovery Tubarão Tigre and Orca, determined that it contains small, discontinuous and low quality reservoirs, and this would probably present significant challenges in the supply of trade amounts of gas. Of the three reservoirs of Cretaceous (K1,K2 and K3) evaluated, the best is K2 in Orca and Shark-Tiger that has an average resource of 0.323 Tcf (cubic foot trillions) of natural gas.

FOUND OUT ORCA (LECK OF MEDIO PALEOCEN), ROVUMA OFFSHORE AREA 1

This discovery was made in Area 1 by Anadarko in 2013 through borehole Orca-1, whose reservoir is the age of the Middle Paleocene, was subsequently evaluated by the holes Manta-1, Orca-2, Orca-3 and Orca-4.

The discovery is located about 10 km from the coast line, 250 km from the city of Pemba. This reservoir is of Middle Paleocene age and is not shared. The average estimate of resources is about 8.4 Tcf (cubulated foot trillions) of natural gas in situ, according to estimates submitted by Total.

The reservoir in the Orca discovery lies at depths ranging from 4000 to 5000m below the mid sea level, and the water column from about 600m to 1200m. The extension is about 30 km.

UNCOVERED TUBARON (EOCENO), ROVUMA OFFSHORE AREA 1

This discovery was made by Anadarko in January 2011 through the Jaw-1 hole and evaluated by the Shark-2 hole (negative) in 2013. The discovery is located about 25 km from the coast line, 50 Km of the Northeast of the district of Mocímboa da Praia and 200 Km of the Northeast of Pemba City.

The reservoir is completely in Area 1. The average estimate of resources is about 3.4 tcf (cubic foot trillions) of gas in situ.

The reservoir is at a depth of 3500 to 4000 metres below the average sea level. The water column ranges from 800 to 1200 meters. The extent of the Shark discovery is about 20 km east-oriented.