Eni and XRG announced the signing of the deal in a separate statement on Tuesday.
According to Eni, today’s agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the parties, with the aim of signing a joint development agreement (JDA) for ARGLNG.
Eni noted that the firm and Adnoc are strategic partners, having previously collaborated on key projects in the United Arab Emirates and other geographies.
Involvement as a potential partner in the project is expected to support the final investment decision, the Italian firm said.
ARGLNG is a large-scale, integrated upstream and midstream gas development project designed to develop the resources of the onshore Vaca Muerta shale gas field and serve international markets, exporting up to 30 million tonnes of LNG per year in various independent phases by 2030.
Last month, Eni signed the final technical project description with YPF for the third phase of the latter’s Argentina LNG export project.
This agreement followed the heads of agreement signed by the two companies in June this year.
The project involves the production, processing, transportation, and liquefaction of gas for export through two floating liquefaction units (FLNG) with a capacity of 6 mtpa, in addition to the valorisation and export of associated liquids.
Last month, Marin confirmed that the state-owned oil and gas company and its partners Eni and Shell expect to take final investment decisions on two stages of the Argentina LNG project in 2026.
As per the phase with Shell, the two firms signed a project development agreement (PDA) for the second phase of the Argentina LNG export project in December 2024.
The second phase will have a capacity of 10 mtpa and two FLNGs.
SESA
Earlier this year, Golar announced the decision and fulfillment of all conditions precedent for the 20-year re-deployment charter of the FLNG Hilli Episeyo, first announced in July 2024.
FLNG Hilli, with a nameplate capacity of 2.45 mtpa, is expected to start its contract in 2027.
Also, the vessel will be chartered to Southern Energy (SESA), offshore Argentina.
SESA’s shareholders comprise Pan American Energy (30 percent), YPF (25 percent), Pampa Energia (20 percent), Harbour Energy (15 percent), and Golar LNG (10 percent).
In addition, Golar and SESA have signed definitive agreements for a 20-year charter for the MKII FLNG, currently under conversion at CIMC Raffles shipyard in Yantai, China.
The partners took FID on the project in August.
