In February, combined LNG exports amounted to 2.67 million mt, down from January's 3 million mt, which had peaked since May of the prior year, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.
Angola witnessed a 14% year-on-year surge in LNG exports for 2023, with emphasis on prioritizing Angolan LNG for export. Nigeria aims to boost its NLNG plant's capacity from 22.5 to 30 million mt/year by constructing a seventh train, slated for completion by 2025.
An Atlantic-based market source highlighted potential extensions of SPAs and the likelihood of additional long-term SPAs, hinting at a possible bidding competition. S&P Global analysts underscored Algeria's competitive advantage, pointing to its legacy positions and cost-efficient feedstock, particularly with its liquefaction plants in proximity to Southern Europe terminals. Egypt remains attractive to upstream investors, with major players like ExxonMobil and Chevron planning drilling activities this year.
Samir Raslan, under-secretary at the ministry of petroleum and mineral resources, highlighted ADNOC's entry into a joint venture with BP as indicative of international interest. Algerian LNG exports in 2023 hit their highest levels since 2010, supplying approximately 11% of Europe's natural gas consumption. Analysts also noted a 28% surge in Algerian LNG exports from 2022 to 2023, partly attributed to new gas production sources facilitated by the 2019 hydrocarbon law.