ExxonMobil appears set to take over operatorship from Eni of the huge Mamba gas field in Mozambique’s Area 4, bringing to bear its considerable financial muscle and technical acumen on another two-train liquefied natural gas plant to be built adjacent to Anadarko’s.

Omar Mitha, chief executive of state-owned ENH, a partner in Area 4, says the US supermajor is on the verge of farming in to the concession.

“Our