US energy firm, Chevron, has completed seismic data acquisition for Blocks 49 and 50 in Angola and is now moving into the data processing phase.
The activity follows the signing of a Risk Service Contract in 2024 for the two ultra deep water blocks, signalling the company’s continued interest in advancing offshore exploration in Angola’s energy sector.
Frank Cassuloo, Managing Director of the Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit at Chevron, spoke during the Invest in Angola Energies session at the African Energy Wee.
He mentioned that the company completed its seismic work and is now processing the acquired data.
“We are confident that we have brought together the best technical talent to bring these blocks to development. We have shot our seismic and are processing data currently,” Cassuloo said.
Angola oil output target
Moreover, te latest update from Chevron comes at a time when Angola is pushing to maintain crude production above one million barrels per day (bpd).
This target has encouraged several operators, including Azule Energy, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil, to accelerate ongoing projects and exploration efforts across the country’s offshore blocks.
Azule Energy, a joint venture between Eni and BP, recently began production from the Agogo Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) in 2025.
This has raised output from the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development to 175,000 bpd.
The company also plans to disconnect the Ngoma FPSO to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency.
Adriano Monghini, Chief Executive Officer of Azule Energy, explained that flexibility and efficient decision making helped the company deliver on its project goals.
“What has been key for the delivery of this project is implementing flexibility. Our goal was to reduce the chain of command to become more flexible and efficient in making decisions. Another aspect was choosing the right partner,” Monghini said.
He added that Azule Energy intends to invest about $5 billion in Angola over the next few years to boost national oil output and support new exploration activity.
TotalEnergies, another major player in Angola’s oil industry, has continued to strengthen its presence offshore. The company brought two projects with a combined output of 60,000 bpd onstream in 2025.
It is also advancing the Dalia Life Extension project and the $6 billion Kaminho project, both of which are expected to sustain Angola’s long term production.
Martin Deffontaines, Country Manager for Angola at TotalEnergies, mentioned that the Kaminho project was already progressing well.
“Kaminho has progressed 55%, with production targeted for 2028. The project is on track and it will be TotalEnergies’ seventh FPSO in the country,” Deffontaines stated.
On its part, national oil company Sonangol has maintained its focus on building a profitable upstream business that contributes to national development.
Ndjamila Africano, Project Manager at Sonangol, said the company is committed to strengthening partnerships with international operators and ensuring steady production growth.
“The company has a mandate to run a profitable upstream business that contributes towards national development. It’s all about partnerships,” Africano said.
Data access and technology drive new exploration phase
As Chevron and other operators advance new phases of exploration, Angola is preparing for its next licensing round in 2025.
The government has placed emphasis on seismic data acquisition to attract investors and reduce exploration risk.
Chris Drage, Vice President of the Eastern Hemisphere at TGS, said the company is supporting Angola’s data expansion efforts by improving access to information for investors and operators.
“It all comes down to speed and how we can work with clients to enable them to access information quickly. We have invested over $600 million in multi client data in Angola. This is a large dataset and we are working to reimage that data,” Drage said.
ExxonMobil also pointed out the importance of access to data and regulatory stability in sustaining investment.
Katrina Fisher, Country Manager for Angola at ExxonMobil, said the company continues to take a long term approach to exploration and production in the country.
“ExxonMobil has driven long term investments and long term projects in Angola. Access to data and to the information that we need to make decisions is important. Regulatory security and strong processes help us invest,” Fisher said.
Beyond exploration, service companies are also playing a growing role in Angola’s upstream progress. SLB, formerly Schlumberger, is supporting operators with digital reservoir characterisation, efficiency solutions, and low carbon technologies.
Miguel Baptista, Managing Director for Central, East, and South Africa at SLB, explained that technology is helping Angola achieve its energy and environmental objectives.
“Low carbon technology is the cornerstone of what we are doing. We wanted to assess how we can maximise every drop of resources in the ground,” Baptista stated.
Meanwhile, local logistics company Cabship continues to expand its offshore support services. With 16 years of experience, the company provides diving and supply chain solutions to major oil operators.
Luis Da Silva, General Manager of Cabship, said the company’s systems are designed to provide reliable and efficient support to offshore operations.
“Cabship positions itself as a local partner that can give support to the supply chains of major operators. Everything we do is system driven,” Da Silva explained.
