The Republic of Congo is entering a new phase of gas development, with multiple floating LNG (FLNG) projects progressing offshore. What began as a single export solution is now evolving into a broader multi-unit system. Alongside the operational Tango and Nguya units, a proposed FLNG project by Trident Energy would add further capacity while introducing a more flexible model for processing gas across different assets.
Tango FLNG, which began exporting LNG in late 2023 as part of the Congo LNG project, marked the country’s entry into international gas markets. The Nguya FLNG unit has since come online under the project’s second phase, significantly increasing liquefaction capacity and bringing total output to around 3 million tons per annum. The two facilities have established Congo as one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa operating multiple FLNG units, laying the foundation for expanded gas commercialization and further offshore development.
A Trident-led FLNG project would extend this approach. Unlike existing units that are closely tied to specific fields, it is expected to operate more as shared infrastructure, with the ability to process gas from multiple operators across the basin. In addition to monetizing its own volumes, it would create an outlet for associated gas that might otherwise remain stranded.
This is particularly relevant in the context of Congo’s restrictions on routine gas flaring. Where gas cannot be reinjected or exported, oil production has historically been constrained. As more FLNG capacity comes online, gas handling becomes less of a limiting factor, enabling offshore fields to move forward with fewer production bottlenecks.
For companies such as TotalEnergies, this shift is increasingly material as development continues on the Moho license. In April 2026, TotalEnergies announced a further hydrocarbon discovery at the Moho G structure, following earlier finds in the area, with combined recoverable resources estimated at close to 100 million barrels. While developments are expected to leverage existing offshore infrastructure, continued production growth will depend on reliable gas processing and monetization routes.
As Congo tightens enforcement of flaring restrictions and pushes for greater gas utilization, access to FLNG capacity – existing and planned – provides a practical solution for managing associated gas while sustaining oil output. With TotalEnergies and Trident both active on the Moho license, the expansion of offshore gas infrastructure carries implications that extend across multiple developments.
At the same time, FLNG offers a more incremental development model than onshore liquefaction plants. Units can be deployed more quickly and aligned closely with offshore production hubs, allowing capacity to scale in phases as new resources come online.
“What’s happening in Congo shows that when the infrastructure is in place, everything else follows,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Companies can produce, governments can earn and gas doesn’t sit idle. That’s been the missing link in many African markets.”
With two FLNG units now in operation and additional capacity under consideration, Congo is steadily reshaping how its gas resources are developed and exported. While the pace will depend on final investment decisions, the direction is clear: gas is becoming a more central pillar of the country’s energy strategy, supported by an expanding offshore infrastructure base.
