Angola has made a massive natural gas discovery in the Lower Congo Basin, marking a pivotal moment towards becoming a regional energy hub.
The breakthrough was achieved by Azule Energy, a joint venture between BP Plc, Eni S.p.A. and Angolan partners, through the successful drilling of the Gajajeira-01 well – the country’s first dedicated gas exploration effort.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the field holds over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensates, the companies said in a joint statement.
“This is a historic moment for gas exploration in Angola,” Azule Energy chief executive Adriano Mongini said in the statement.
He said the success of the Gajajeira-01 well pointed to huge untapped potential of the Lower Congo Basin.
The discovery aligns with Angola’s National Gas Master Plan, a 30-year strategy launched earlier this year to attract $30 billion in investment and generate $150 billion in economic benefits.
The plan outlines a roadmap for expanding domestic energy access and boosting liquefied natural gas exports.
Angola exited OPEC in 2023 to pursue greater flexibility in energy policy.
Since then, the country has secured $60 billion in financial commitments from international investors, signalling growing confidence in its gas sector.
Energy analysts say the Gajajeira-01 find could anchor Angola’s ambition to become a regional LNG supplier, especially to Asian and European markets.
JN/APA