In Block 32, TotalEnergies, with a 30 percent operating ownership, said 2024 it would continue drilling development wells through the third quarter of 2025 including three infill wells of Kari Phase 1. It said it was assessing potential additional developments in discoveries in the central and northern areas of the block. Block 32 is already in production through FPSOs Kaombo Norte and Kaombo Sul.
Angola has made a major natural gas discovery, marking a breakthrough in the country’s efforts to diversify its fossil fuel production. Azule Energy, a joint venture between BP Plc (NYSE:BP), Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) and a group of Angolan companies successfully drilled the country’s first dedicated gas exploration well in the Lower Congo Basin, with preliminary estimates suggesting the reserve holds more than 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensates.
The agreement extends the licence to 2037, supports the further development of the block’s remaining resources and prolongs the production and design life of the Kizomba A, Kizomba B, Mondo and Saxi-Batuque FPSOs.
The IRDP said prices of other fuels, including gasoline and liquefied-petroleum gas, will remain unchanged in Angola, Africa’s third-largest oil producer. The IMF said in February that Angola should do more to eliminate subsidies that cost about $3 billion last year — similar to the amount the government spent on health and education last year.
The event was held as US trade rival China seeks to extend its influence on the continent by offering to remove levies on imports from almost all African countries, while America threatens reciprocal tariffs after a 90-day pause ends on July 9. The US has also cut aid to the continent and banned travel from certain African nations.
Afentra and M&P will each acquire 50% of Etu Energias’ 10% non-operated interest in Block 3/05 and 13.33% non-operated interest in Block 3/05A. The buyers will each pay an initial consideration of USD 23 million, consisting of USD 22 million for Block 3/05 and USD 1 million for Block 3/05A.
TotalEnergies, as operator of Block 17, has worked with partners to develop the block into a cornerstone of Angola’s oil production for more than 20 years. The renewed PSC allows for the continued use of existing infrastructure and technological expertise to support value creation from mature oilfields.
The fire occurred while the platform was undergoing scheduled maintenance. A total of 17 people were injured. Authorities are working to recover a body spotted underwater near the platform, according to the ministry.
Angola has welcomed the Agogo FPSO, a game-changing facility for the country’s oil output and the world’s first such vessel fitted with a post-combustion CCS unit.
The news was announced by the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) on Friday.
“Our emerging partnership with Corcel is emblematic of our strategy to work with best-in-class partners and deploy high-impact capital that brings us exposure to large potential resource outcomes that require little additional capital. We look forward to the expansion of our West African conjugate margin exposure through KON-16, one of the most promising blocks in a proven, underexplored basin,” said Sintana CEO Robert Bose.