Eni cheers launch of its Mozambique-bound FLNG at Samsung Heavy Industries’ shipyard

January 16, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Italy’s energy giant Eni has attended the inauguration ceremony South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) held for its second floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit, which will be deployed in the supergiant Rovuma basin off the coast of Mozambique, Africa.

Officials at the Coral Norte FLNG launching ceremony at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje Shipyard; Source: SHI — Officials at the Coral Norte FLNG launching ceremony at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje Shipyard; Source: SHI

After Eni received the go-ahead for its Coral Norte/North FLNG project last year, the final investment decision (FID) for the FLNG development was taken in October 2025. This allows the exploration of natural gas resources from the Coral Eocene 441 deposit in Area 4 concession, covering the Coral Sul/South FLNG facility, the approved second FLNG development, and the Rovuma LNG onshore facilities.

Samsung Heavy Industries has now held the launch ceremony for the Coral Norte FLNG at its Geoje Shipyard. The event was attended by Sung-an Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of SHI, as well as approximately 80 guests, including Estevão Pale, Mozambique’s Minister of Minerals and Energy; Guido Brusco, Eni’s COO; and Shoji Yamada, Representative Director and President of JGC Corporation.

This is the second ultra-large facility built by SHI for the Italian energy giant, following Africa’s first such facility, for which Samsung received an order in 2017 and delivered in 2021. The Coral Norte FLNG measures 432 meters in length and 66 meters in width, perceived to make it large enough to line up four soccer fields end to end. The unit’s launch weight alone reaches 123,000 tons.

The South Korean player and Eni signed a preliminary agreement for main construction works worth KRW 869.4 billion (approximately $670 million) in July last year and have since proceeded with the project, targeting completion in 2028.

The Asian shipbuilder highlighted: “Anchored by its flagship FLNG facility, Samsung Heavy Industries continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in offshore engineering. To date, SHI has secured 6 orders out of 10 FLNG units ordered worldwide.

“The company has delivered a total of four facilities, including Shell’s Prelude, the world’s largest FLNG unit, and is currently constructing two additional units at its Geoje shipyard, including Coral Norte FLNG and third Petronas FLNG unit.”

Meanwhile, Delfin Midstream recently disclosed that the final investment decision for an FLNG facility project in the U.S. Gulf was imminent, following the extension of a letter of award (LOA) inked with Samsung Heavy Industries.

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“With the continued growth in global LNG demand, approvals for major offshore gas production facilities are also steadily increasing. Based on our construction capabilities, we plan to secure orders for one to two FLNG units every year,” underlined Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries.