The natural gas reserves in the eastern waters of Mozambique are large and of good quality, and are becoming one of the emerging hotspots for global oil and gas cooperation and development. At present, Chinese companies have cooperated with companies from other five countries to establish the Color United Company to operate the world's first ultra-deepwater floating LNG project in Mozambique. The project has been successfully put into operation, making Mozambique a natural gas exporter. Let's meet a Chinese person involved in this project and see how he has accumulated experience for realizing China's dream of independent deep-sea development.

Tang Chao is working on the world's first floating LNG project with a water depth of over 2,000 meters, with an annual production capacity of more than 3.3 million tons. This ultra-deepwater floating LNG ship is called an offshore oil and gas aircraft carrier. It is 432 meters long, 66 meters wide and 38.5 meters high. It integrates underwater mining, natural gas liquefaction, storage and product export. This inner turret is the key module of underwater mining, which can realize natural gas mining at a water depth of 2,000 meters. The liquefaction of natural gas directly on the ship does not need to be transported to land for liquefaction through pipelines. In other words, the integration of multiple functions through a pontoon is what distinguishes this sea giant from traditional LNG projects.

In November 2022, the first batch of liquefied natural gas products will be shipped. The project will realize the operation of the entire industrial chain, and Mozambique will become an exporter of liquefied natural gas for the first time.

Arne Gibbs, American partner of Coral United: The Coral floating liquefied natural gas project is a milestone. Mozambique can export natural gas for the first time. Chinese companies have played an important role in the successful realization of the project. The joint company we formed is an international company and we have a strong partnership between us.

After graduating from a major in industrial foreign trade in 1997, Tang Chao began to engage in foreign trade-related work and worked in many African countries. In 2013, he came to Mozambique and subsequently joined the Color Floating LNG Project.

Tang Chao said that this project uses the world's most cutting-edge deep-sea liquefied natural gas technology. At present, no country can design and build independently. The core design, core technology and core construction of this project are all undertaken by the foreign party. Before participating in this project, Tang Chao had a wish. The stable operation of the first phase of the Kolor project is the beginning of my dream. When I came to work here, I wondered when China could independently engage in the design and construction of deep-sea floating LNG ships. In Tang Chao’s view, being able to participate in this project is not only to show his professional skills, but also to accumulate experience.

Tang Chao, Manager of the Procurement Department of Collor United Company: A single supplier or contractor cannot complete the entire floating LNG ship. At that time, it was facing very big challenges, and there were almost no precedents to follow in the world.

With no experience to learn from, Tang Chao could only figure out his own way. Years of experience in foreign trade and engineering background allowed him to constantly develop ideas and come up with new ways. In the end, he made a joint decision with members from other countries in the team, designed three sets of parallel plans, selected the best way, and completed the procurement of the project with high standards. Right now, all parties are accelerating the second phase of the project, which is to build another floating liquefied natural gas carrier that completely replicates the Koror project. Tang Chao's visit to the pontoon this time was to conduct on-the-spot research on the procurement project.

In the Kolor project, China has established a deep-sea LNG technical support team to train professionals.

Tang Chao, Manager of the Procurement Department of Collor United Company: I am on the deck now, and I can see the burning torch behind me. I hope that more Chinese companies and Chinese elements will join the Mozambique project in the future, so that foreigners can see Chinese companies I can give thumbs up and praise loudly.Editor/Ma Xue