ENH Plans Shift to Operator Role in Mozambique’s Oil and Gas Sector
Maputo — The National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) is preparing to transition from its traditional role as a minority partner in Mozambique’s oil and gas projects to a full-fledged operator, aiming for greater leadership in exploration and production.
The strategic shift was a key focus of a board retreat held since Friday in Ponta do Ouro, Matutuine district, Maputo province.
The meeting brought together ENH’s leadership to develop a long-term plan that would place the state-owned company at the forefront of the sector.
Currently, ENH holds equity stakes of between 10% and 40% in about ten hydrocarbon concessions across Mozambique, representing the state’s commercial interests. Major operations, however, are managed by global energy giants including TotalEnergies (Mozambique LNG – Area 1), Eni (Coral Sul FLNG – Area 4), and ExxonMobil (Rovuma LNG).
Ludovina Bernardo, Chairwoman of ENH’s Board of Directors, said the company is ready to take the next step.
“We need to begin positioning ourselves in the oil and gas industry as operators. We want to operate, and if all goes well, we will soon share the results of our first steps in that direction,” she said.
The company’s new five-year-plus business plan envisions building a portfolio of projects that capitalize on gas allocated from the Rovuma Basin developments.
ENH sees these reserves as a strategic resource to drive Mozambique’s industrial growth, with domestic gas supply fueling local manufacturing, job creation, and economic diversification.
ENH already has interests in the Pande and Temane processing plants in Inhambane province and participates in gas pipeline projects.
It also functions as a natural gas aggregator and marketer, operating a 65-kilometer pipeline network in Maputo and Marracuene.
Looking ahead, ENH intends to expand into the transportation of natural gas, oil, and condensates by both sea and land, including cross-border ventures — signaling its ambition to become a major operational force in Mozambique’s energy landscape.
