Angola’s national oil company (NOC), Sonangol, is rapidly advancing its oil and gas projects across the entire value chain.
This month, Sonangol has made significant strides in its development efforts. The company has partnered with industrial group Tosyali to launch the Kassinga mining and steel project, awarded engineering firm KBR a contract to develop the 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) Lobito refinery, and achieved Final Investment Decision (FID) with project partner TotalEnergies for the Kaminho deepwater project. These initiatives, along with numerous others in Sonangol’s portfolio, underscore the company’s growing competitiveness as both a partner and operator in the industry.
At the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference, scheduled for October 2-3 in Luanda, a panel discussion titled “The Role of the NOC in Unlocking Upstream Potential and Regional Collaboration” will highlight Sonangol’s emergence as a key player in the oil and gas sector. The panel will also explore the crucial role NOCs play in Africa’s oil and gas industry, featuring case studies and project updates.
AOG is Angola’s premier oil and gas event, supported by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber. The event serves as a platform for deal-making and advancing Angola’s oil and gas industry. For sponsorship or delegate participation, contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
With over 60 years of experience, Sonangol has been pivotal in Angola’s oil and gas expansion. The government is currently privatizing the NOC, with a projected completion by 2026, aiming to strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. This move will not only diversify the government’s 30% stake in the company but also enhance its competitiveness as Angola’s oil and gas industry continues to grow.
Sonangol is also establishing itself as a vital regional partner. Recent collaborations include developing an integrated logistics hub in Namibia with Namcor and the Namibian Ports Authority and advancing the $5 billion Angola-Zambia Oil Pipeline with Zambian entities, which will connect the Lobito refinery to Lusaka. These partnerships are accelerating oil and gas development in Africa and enhancing regional cooperation.
Additionally, a July 2023 agreement between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) paves the way for closer collaboration between their respective NOCs. The agreement focuses on the co-development of Chevron-operated Block 14, located on the maritime border of the two countries. This partnership will support the development of the DRC’s emerging oil and gas sector and strengthen Sonangol’s regional presence.
As other African NOCs enhance their roles in the oil and gas industry through collaboration, they are unlocking new opportunities for domestic resource development and bilateral partnerships. The AOG 2024 panel will examine the pivotal role of Africa’s NOCs in supporting national production goals and explore opportunities for innovation and technology, as well as the challenges and opportunities within the oil and gas sector.
