Unidentified gunmen attacked an Anadarko Petroleum Corp. liquefied natural gas project in northern Mozambique, the first attack on an energy company since an insurgency by suspected Islamist militants began 16 months ago.
At least four people were injured in the raid, the company said in an emailed statement. About 15 gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a convoy, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported, citing a person it didn’t identify. The company’s shares extended losses, falling as much as 3.7 percent to $43.49 in New York.
“We have received information that a convoy was attacked on the road from Mocimboa da Praia to Afungi,” Anadarko said. “The event is over, and work is under way to account for all personnel.”
The four wounded are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, it said.
Anadarko, based in The Woodlands, Texas, is expected to spend at least $20 billion on its massive LNG project in Palma, near the Tanzanian border, where the insurgency has killed more than 100 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. Up to now, the suspected Islamist militants have mainly targeted coastal villages and the government. Last month, the company published an advertisement in a local newspaper asking for vehicles with armor heavy enough to stop AK-47 bullets.
“In order to ensure readiness for operations, there is an immediate need” for the vehicles, Anadarko said in the ad.
The project would be Mozambique’s first onshore LNG facility, initially producing almost 13 million metric tons a year. Anadarko is targeting a final investment decision in the first half of the year after announcing a handful of new contracts over the past few weeks.
“We are still working to gather information and are actively monitoring the situation,” Anadarko said. “We are in close contact with government authorities to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect our workforce.”
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