July 31 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil ( XOM ) said on Friday its

pipeline of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects would diversify

its production away from the Middle East, but the company said

it remains committed to pursuing opportunities in the region

because of its long-term importance to global energy markets.

"We won't shy away from the region," CEO Darren Woods said

on the company's post-earnings conference call, adding that the

region would remain an important source of natural gas.

The company hopes to make a final investment decision on its

Mozambique LNG project later this year and expects to sanction

its Papua New Guinea LNG project during the same period.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet

Das)