Anadarko Petroleum Corp said on Friday a long-term agreement had been signed with the trading division of China's state-owned offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Mozambique.

The deal will bring it one step closer to making a final investment decision for its East African LNG project, with the decision expected in the first half of this year.

Mozambique LNG1 Company, the jointly-owned sales entity of the Mozambique Area 1 co-venturers, had signed a sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with CNOOC's gas and power Singapore Trading and Marketing unit, Anadarko said.

The SPA is for 1.5-million tonnes a year for a period of 13 years.

"This deal gives China's largest LNG importer access to Mozambique LNG's world-class gas resources, which are strategically located off the East Coast of Africa, and will provide China with a clean source of energy for years to come," said Mitch Ingram, executive vice president of Anadarko's International, Deepwater and Exploration division.

The agreement demonstrates the progress the company is making towards its goal of taking a final investment decision in the first half of this year, he said, adding that the company is expected to announce further SPAs in the near future.

The Anadarko-operated Mozambique LNG project will be Mozambique's first onshore LNG development, initially consisting of two LNG trains with total capacity of 12.88 mtpa to support the development of the Golfinho/Atum fields located entirely within offshore Area 1. 

Anadarko Moçambique Área 1, Lda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, operates Offshore Area 1 with a 26.5 percent interest.

Other stakeholders include ENH Robuma Area Um, Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area1, ONGC Videsh, Beas Rovuma Energy Mozambique Ltd, BPRL Ventures Mozambique, and PTTEP Mozambique Area 1 Ltd.