ExxonMobil Corp. and Eni SPA have signed a sale and purchase agreement to enable ExxonMobil to acquire from Eni a 25% indirect interest in the natural gas-rich Area 4 block offshore Mozambique. Eni currently holds a 50% indirect share in the block through a 71.4% stake in Eni East Africa, which owns 70% of the Area 4 concession. The agreed terms include a cash price of about $2.8 billion. The acquisition will be completed following satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent, including clearance from Mozambican and other regulatory authorities. Eni will continue to lead the 3.3 million-tonne/year Coral floating LNG project as well as a 10 million-tpy onshore liquefaction joint venture in Area 4, while ExxonMobil will lead the construction and operation of natural gas liquefaction facilities onshore. Following completion of the transaction, Eni East Africa SPA will be co-owned by Eni 35.7%, ExxonMobil 35.7%, and China National […]