Angola is set to open its next oil and gas licensing round
in the fourth quarter of 2025, offering exploration blocks in the Kwanza and
Benguela basins. This move is part of a broader effort to maintain national oil
production above one million barrels per day beyond 2026, as Angola confronts
declining output from mature wells.
Speaking at the Angola Oil & Gas Conference and
Exhibition, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas Diamantino
Azevedo emphasized that the upcoming round marks the conclusion of a strategy
launched in 2019 to award 50 concessions across the country. He stated, “We have
a goal to achieve one million bpd in the next year. Even though we have a lot
of activities and developments in certain areas, we are a country with matured
wells in our fields. Our solution is to look for new deposits.”
The licensing round will offer acreage in proven hydrocarbon
zones and is expected to attract fresh investment into Angola’s upstream
sector. It complements the country’s permanent offer regime and marginal field
development programme, which aim to unlock value from smaller or underdeveloped
assets.
Azevedo noted that Angola’s flexible licensing framework and
recent legislative reforms have helped draw both new entrants and reinvestment
from existing operators. In addition to courting international partners, the
government is pushing for greater local participation in the oil and gas
industry. The minister underscored the importance of empowering Angolan
entrepreneurs and companies to play a leading role in sectoral growth, stating,
“We want to see more Angolans participating in the industry. We also want to
see national Angolan companies to be more active in our economic growth. We
want to bring legislation that supports this.”
The upcoming licensing round is expected to be a key driver
of Angola’s energy future, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s top oil
producers while advancing domestic capacity and long-term sustainability.
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