The National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), ExxonMobil Angola and the Angola Block 15 partners have announced a new discovery at the Bavuca South-1 exploration well.

The well encountered 30 metres of high-quality, hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone. It is located approximately 365 kilometres northwest off the coast of Luanda and was drilled in 1,100 metres of water by the Valaris DS-9 rig.

ExxonMobil Upstream Company President Liam Mallon said ExxonMobil is optimising the resource and delivering value to the people and government of Angola, partners and shareholders

“Our development strategy continues to deliver, providing affordable energy to meet increasing global demand while reducing emissions. In Angola, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 74 per cent since 2016.”

The Bavuca South-1 well is part of the Angola Block 15 redevelopment project. As the Block’s operator, ExxonMobil is leading the installation of new technology and a multi-year drilling program aimed at producing approximately 40,000 barrels of oil per day to help offset natural production declines.

There have been 17 previous discoveries on Block 15: Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba and Dikanza in 1998; Chocalho and Xikomba in 1999; Mondo, Saxi and Batuque in 2000; Mbulumbumba, Vicango and Mavacola in 2001; Reco Reco in 2002; and Clochas, Kakocha, Tchihumba and Bavuca in 2003.

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited is the operator of Block 15 and holds a 36% interest. BP Exploration (Angola) Limited holds 24%, ENI Angola Exploration B.V. holds 18%, Equinor Angola Block 15 A.S. holds 12% and Sonangol P&P holds 10%. The National Agency for Petroleum, Gasand Biofuels (ANPG) is the Block 15 Concessionaire.

ExxonMobil in Angola also has 18 per cent participating interest in Block 17 through its affiliated company Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, and 15 percent participating interest in Block 32 through its affiliated company Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited. Since 2020, ExxonMobil affiliates operate Blocks 30, 44 and 45 in the Namibe Basin offshore Angola with 60 per cent participating interest in the three blocks.