Brian Unietis, Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Angola, talks to The Energy Year about extending the productive life of Block 15 through new drilling, tiebacks and facility investments, Angola’s upstream investment environment and the company’s approach to local development.
ExxonMobil operates Block 15 and holds interests in several deepwater blocks offshore Angola.
- ExxonMobil is extending the life and value of Block 15 through new drilling, seismic acquisition, subsea tiebacks and facility life-extension projects, supported by the PSA extension through 2037 and new investment commitments.
- Angola’s improved fiscal and regulatory environment is supporting longer-term upstream investment, although continued regulatory stability, competitive terms and efficient project execution will be essential to attracting global capital.
- Alongside resource development, ExxonMobil is investing in Angolan skills, local content and community programmes as it seeks to sustain Block 15 and its wider contribution to the country’s economic development.
What are ExxonMobil’s production outlook and development priorities, given Angola’s 2030 objective of 1.1 million bopd and the new drilling campaign and PSA extension through 2037 at Block 15?
For more than 32 years, ExxonMobil has partnered with Angola to develop one of the country’s most significant deepwater resource bases. The Block 15 PSA extension through 2037, supported by approximately USD 3 billion in new investment commitments, provides the long-term framework needed to advance redevelopment activities, new drilling opportunities and facility life-extension projects.
These investments are designed to maximise value from existing resources and support Angola’s objective of sustaining production at approximately 1.1 million bopd through 2030 and beyond. Today, in addition to significant production operations, Block 15 is executing activities across the oil and gas lifecycle, from exploratory drilling on our Vicango East prospect, acquiring 4D seismic across the entirety of Block 15 to define our future running room, preparing for subsea infrastructure development on our latest tieback project Likembe, and life extension activities at our Saxi and Mondo facilities.
The level of activity on Block 15 speaks to the horizon of opportunities we have ahead of us in ExxonMobil Angola. We balance these priorities through disciplined capital allocation and a focus on the most competitive opportunities.
We reached Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Kizomba C facilities project in 2025 and are progressing plans to achieve FID for the Kizomba A and B facilities by year-end 2026.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate our commitment to maximizing the long-term value of Block 15 through continued resource development, infrastructure investment, and production sustainability.
In light of the ANPG’s ambition to attract USD 60–100 billion in upstream investment in the coming years, how are Angola’s fiscal and licensing reforms making E&P increasingly attractive to international capital?
Angola has made meaningful progress in strengthening the competitiveness of its upstream sector. Efforts to enhance transparency, streamline licensing processes and improve fiscal competitiveness have helped create a more attractive environment for long-term investment.
Sustaining the level of investment needed to support future growth will require continued focus on regulatory stability, competitive terms and efficient project execution. In a global industry where capital is mobile, consistency and predictability remain critical factors in investment decisions.
For ExxonMobil, these improvements have increased confidence in long-term planning and investment. Our ongoing engagement with MIREMPET, ANPG and other stakeholders has supported effective collaboration and project development such as the continuous drilling campaigns and major projects to extend the life of our facilities in Block 15. Continued progress in these areas will help Angola remain a competitive destination for global energy investment.
How is ExxonMobil supporting local content and community development in Angola?
ExxonMobil’s approach to local content and community development starts with investing in people. We work to build local capability through workforce development, technical training, knowledge transfer and leadership opportunities, helping create pathways for Angolans and local businesses to grow and participate in Angola’s energy future.
Over the past 30 years, ExxonMobil has invested more than USD 100 million in social projects across Angola, supporting initiatives that strengthen education, skills development and community well-being. Programmes such as the ExxonMobil Jr. NBA which includes a strong STEM component, the STEM Africa programme are designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while equipping young people with practical skills that can open doors to future careers.
We also recognise the importance of creating opportunities for young women. Through the Eco-Youth vocational training programme, more than 600 girls and young women in Benguela and Luanda provinces have gained practical skills and entrepreneurship training to help improve their economic prospects. These efforts reflect ExxonMobil’s commitment to creating lasting value beyond our operations by supporting stronger communities, a more skilled workforce and Angola’s long-term socio-economic development.
With over 32 years of operations in Angola and more than 2.7 billion barrels produced at Block 15, what are ExxonMobil’s long-term priorities in Angola?
As we enter a new era for Block 15, ExxonMobil remains focused on creating long-term value through the pillars of People, Energy and Future.
People means investing in local talent, strengthening local content and building enduring partnerships with government, industry and communities.
Energy means continuing to develop Angola’s world-class resources safely, reliably and responsibly. We are focused on maximizing recovery from existing assets, advancing attractive exploration opportunities and applying technology to improve operational performance and efficiency.
Future reflects our commitment to long-term development. Through continuous improvement we aim to enhance resource recovery, extend asset life and support Angola’s competitiveness in a changing energy landscape.
Together, these priorities reinforce our role as a long-term partner in Angola’s development, helping deliver economic growth, energy security and opportunities for future generations.
source: theenergyyear.com