Angola has officially commissioned its first non‑associated gas project, the $4 billion New Gas Consortium (NGC) Gas Treatment Plant in Soyo, marking a transformative milestone for the country’s energy sector.
The facility was developed by Azule Energy – a 50:50 joint venture between Eni and bp – alongside partners Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Sonangol E&P, TotalEnergies and the National Oil and Gas Agency (ANPG).
It began operations in November 2025, six months ahead of schedule.
With a processing capacity of 400 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 20,000 barrels of condensate, the plant sources gas from the offshore Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields for export through the Angola LNG plant and domestic consumption.
President João Lourenço, who attended the inauguration ceremony, hailed the project as a decisive step in positioning Angola as a strategic player in the global gas market.
“Non‑associated gas deposits guarantee additional production rather than relying solely on gas associated with oil,” Lourenço said.
“The benefits are significant as gas is in great demand internationally, is less polluting than diesel and offers a competitive price,” Lourenço said.
The commissioning comes just 24 months after groundbreaking in October 2023 and underscores Angola’s growing capacity to deliver large‑scale energy infrastructure.
The project mobilised thousands of workers, with more than 4,500 employed at peak construction and another 1,200 in fabrication and infrastructure.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomed the development, describing it as a benchmark for Africa’s gas future.
“Angola’s first non‑associated gas project marks a decisive moment for the country’s energy future. It shows what is possible when bold leadership, strong partnerships and investor confidence align,” AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk said on Wednesday.
Beyond exports, the NGC project is expected to support fertilizer production for agriculture, expand cleaner power generation and drive industrial diversification.
The momentum in Angola’s gas sector has been reinforced by the July 2025 discovery at the Gajajeira‑01 exploration well in offshore Block 1/14, which revealed potential reserves exceeding 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate.
JN/APA