The Sambizanga tanker ship is moored next to the export terminal of the Angola LNG project in order to begin tests for mooring and linking up to the system, with a view to the first shipment of gas being sent out this month, Sonangol said Wednesday in Luanda.

In a statement issued by the state company, the project’s shareholders said that, following introduction of the feeding gas into the liquid natural gas (LNG) processing unit on 15 March, additional tests would be carried out and the liquefaction units would start operating. LNG production is scheduled to begin at the end of the second quarter.

The processing unit, which was recently built, is located in Soyo, Zaire province, and operations and maintenance services will be provided by OPCO – Sociedade Operacional Angola LNG and SOMG – Sociedade de Operações e Manutenção de Gasodutos.

Investor sin the Angola LNG project and the shareholders of Angola LNG Limited, OPCO and SOMG are Sonangol Gás Natural, Limitada (22.8 percent), Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (36.4 percent), BP Exploration (Angola) Limited (13.6 percent), ENI Angola Production BV (13.6 percent) and Total LNG Angola Limited (13.6 percent). (macauhub)