The idea of Mozambique becoming "a great player" in the national energy market is being trumpeted all over the world, thanks to the "recent discoveries" of natural gas reserves all over the country.

It is also said that the deposits, in addition to containing high quantities, are also of high quality, capable of producing relatively minor effects on the environment.

These good prospects also focus on the gains for the country through tax revenues, which are intended to benefit the population.

But it hides the fact that the contracts signed between the government and the multinationals involved in the natural gas exploration projects are outdated and were drawn up from a different perspective.

Here's the thing: as the newspaper points out Briefs and FactsThe contracts were for the exploration and exploitation of oil, but what was found was natural gas, which has a high commercial value. This means that, under these contracts, the gas is marketed at low prices.

In addition, the experts quoted by the newspaper point out that "the current formula for calculating revenue for the state is outdated, since the revenue is based on the net price, not the final sale price of the gas".

The multinationals involved, such as Italy's Eni, have long-term agreements that cover the entire volumes of LNG produced by the Coral Sul FLNG platform. However, the revenues that the Mozambican state receives may be derisory compared to the amounts that the oil companies get on the European market, where LNG prices have risen significantly, driven by factors such as the growth of artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions and the reduction in production in the United States of America, writes the newspaper.

The need to revise the contracts is also linked to the prospect of inflation in liquefied natural gas prices on the international market, as demand is expected to increase by one third over the next ten years.

According to S&P data, natural gas is expected to add 47 gigawatts of energy capacity per year by 2035, and natural gas futures prices have seen increases of 62% in the US and 18% in the Netherlands, driven by supply and demand crises.

"Mozambique has the potential to capitalize on this scenario, but to do so it needs agreements that protect its interests... the time for accepting minimal gains has passed. Mozambique has one of the largest gas reserves in the world, and its citizens deserve to benefit fully from this potential," the sources warned.