Angola has made a significant breakthrough in its energy sector with the discovery of substantial natural gas reserves off its coast, marking a historic moment in the country's exploration efforts.
The National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) announced late Friday that Azule Energy—a joint venture between BP and Eni in Angola—successfully drilled the country's first dedicated gas exploration well, named Gajajeira-01, in the Lower Congo Basin.
Preliminary estimates suggest the well contains more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensates, positioning Angola for a potential leap in natural gas production.
“This is a historic moment for gas exploration in Angola,” said Adriano Mongini, CEO of Azule Energy, in a joint statement.
“The success of the Gajajeira-01 well strengthens our confidence in the untapped potential of the Lower Congo Basin.”
A New Frontier for Angola’s Gas Ambitions
The discovery was made in Block 1/14, operated by Azule Energy, which holds a 35% stake. Its consortium partners include Equinor (30%), Sonangol E&P (25%), Acrep, a private Angolan firm (10%)
This is the first exploration well in Angola drilled specifically for natural gas, as the country historically focused on oil production. The discovery is expected to diversify Angola’s hydrocarbon output and could enhance its long-term energy security and export potential.
The gas find comes at a time when Angola is seeking to revamp its energy strategy following its 2023 withdrawal from OPEC. While the government has pledged to maintain oil production levels, it is increasingly looking toward natural gas as a complementary resource to fuel economic growth, power generation, and potentially liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Analysts suggest that Angola could become a regional gas hub in the coming decade, particularly if further discoveries follow in the Lower Congo and Kwanza basins.
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