Exxon Mobil, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, has lifted the force majeure on its Rovuma liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, allowing construction to restart and moving closer to a final investment decision expected next year, Bloomberg reported.

The plant’s revised design now targets an annual output of 18 million tons of LNG, up from the original 15.2 million tons.

The decision follows a period of heightened security concerns in Cabo Delgado province, where Islamic State-affiliated militants attacked operations in 2021. Exxon said it is working with its partners and the Mozambican government to safeguard personnel and facilities while developing what it calls a world-class LNG project.

TotalEnergies SE, which is building a separate LNG plant nearby, ended its own suspension last month. Both projects are expected to be operational by the early 2030s and could transform Mozambique’s economy into a long-term energy-export hub.

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has supported the resumption of operations, deploying Rwandan troops to help stabilise the region. In July, he described Cabo Delgado as “relatively stable” and urged companies to resume work even amid ongoing threats, noting, “If we’re waiting for Cabo Delgado to be a heaven, we won’t lift force majeure.”

Exxon used the delay to refine the project’s design and enhance efficiency. CEO Darren Woods said the pause allowed the company to develop the “best concept” and that construction can advance rapidly now that the force majeure has been lifted.

The Rovuma project forms part of Exxon’s broader strategy to expand its LNG portfolio, anticipating a roughly 20 percent increase in global natural-gas demand by 2050. The plant is expected to enter a global market alongside US and Qatari expansions that will shape LNG supply in the coming decade.

Partners in the Rovuma development include China National Petroleum Corp., Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., Korea Gas Corp., and Italy’s Eni SpA.