The future of Africa’s offshore energy sector took center stage this week in Luanda. During the highly anticipated Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference 2026, the country’s national concessionaire, the Angolan National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), formalized a massive wave of new risk-service contracts, heads of terms, and operational agreements with the world’s leading international oil companies.
These strategic signings mark a pivotal leap forward for Angola deepwater exploration, specifically targeting untapped reserves across the prolific Kwanza and Congo Basins.
Aggressive Expansion in the Kwanza and Congo Basins
The flurry of deal-making was overseen by ANPG Director of Negotiations, Hélder Iombo. The first major signing secured Risk Service Contracts for deepwater Blocks 19, 34, and 35, partnering ANPG with Shell, Equinor, and Sonangol E&P. These foundational contracts dictate the terms for a robust five-year initial exploration period, followed by a lucrative 30-year production window for any commercial discoveries of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.
Building on momentum from a comprehensive pact struck in November 2025—which covered 17 deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks—the ANPG also locked in new Heads of Terms with Shell, QatarEnergy, and Sonangol for Blocks 8 and 22 in the Kwanza Basin.
In the Congo Basin, Angola deepwater exploration is receiving a similar boost. Chevron, Shell, and Sonangol inked a Risk Service Contract for Block 33/24, committing to reprocess 2,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic data and drill at least one exploratory well. Separately, TotalEnergies, alongside ExxonMobil and Sonangol, secured agreements for Blocks 17, 27, 32, and 21, solidifying heavy offshore energy investments in the region.
Balancing Hydrocarbons with Decarbonization
As Angola deepwater exploration accelerates, so does the commitment to sustainable extraction. In a forward-looking move, the ANPG and TotalEnergies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dedicated solely to reducing emissions across the country’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.
This green initiative will leverage TotalEnergies’ cutting-edge AUSEA drone technology—previously tested in 2022 on a Block 3 field—to detect and monitor methane emissions in real-time. The partnership also aims to build localized expertise in greenhouse-gas management and explore international climate funds to support ongoing decarbonization projects.
Pioneering Sustainable Land Use in Moxico
The AOG 2026 conference also highlighted onshore sustainability. A unique agreement between the ANPG, the Moxico Province development government, Chevron, and the Instituto Nacional de Gestão Ambiental (INGA) established a pilot framework for sustainable land access.
Starting with a 20-hectare pilot phase, this initiative aims to intricately link emissions reduction strategies with local job creation and economic empowerment. If successful, the project could scale up to 20,000 hectares, proving that the next generation of Angola deepwater exploration and energy production can coexist with robust environmental and social governance.
