Oil Exploration Blocks and Concessions
Angola’s offshore oil and gas resources are organized into a system of numbered concession blocks, extending from the shallow waters of the Lower Congo Basin through the deep and ultra-deep waters of the Kwanza Basin. This block system, administered by the national regulator ANPG (Agencia Nacional de Petroleo, Gas e Biocombustiveis), forms the organizational foundation for an industry that generates 90-95% of export earnings and 50-60% of fiscal revenue.
Block Organization
Angola’s offshore acreage is divided into numbered blocks (0 through 34 and beyond), organized by water depth and geological basin:
| Block Range | Basin | Water Depth | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks 0-3 | Lower Congo (Cabinda) | Shallow (<200m) | Mature, declining production |
| Blocks 4-13 | Lower Congo | Shallow to mid-water | Mixed: some mature, some exploration |
| Blocks 14-18 | Lower Congo | Deep water (1,000-2,000m) | Core producing blocks |
| Blocks 19-24 | Kwanza Basin | Deep to ultra-deep | Exploration and early development |
| Blocks 25-34 | Namibe Basin | Ultra-deep (>2,000m) | Frontier exploration |
| Pre-salt blocks | Multiple basins | Deep | Early exploration, high potential |
Key Producing Blocks
The majority of Angola’s approximately 1.03 million bpd comes from a handful of prolific deep-water blocks:
- Block 0 (Cabinda): Operated by Chevron (39.2% interest), Angola’s oldest and most established production area. Shallow-water fields include Takula, Numbi, and Kokongo. Production has declined from peak levels but remains a significant contributor
- Block 14: Operated by Chevron. Includes the Benguela-Belize-Lobito-Tomboco (BBLT) complex, one of Angola’s largest producing areas
- Block 15: Operated by ENI. Home to several major fields in the deep-water Lower Congo Basin
- Block 17: Operated by TotalEnergies (38% interest). Angola’s single most important block, containing the Girassol, Dalia, CLOV, and Pazflor developments. CLOV Phase 3 and Begonia (Block 17/06) have added approximately 60,000 bpd of new capacity
- Block 18: Operated by BP. Includes the Greater Plutonio development
Operator Map
| Operator | Key Blocks | Estimated Production Share |
|---|---|---|
| TotalEnergies | 17, 17/06, 32 | 35-40% |
| Chevron | 0, 14 | 20-25% |
| ENI | 15, 15/06 | 10-15% |
| BP | 18, 31 | 8-12% |
| ExxonMobil | 15 (partner) | 5-8% |
| Sonangol (operator) | Various | 5-10% |
Sonangol, the state oil company, holds a mandatory participation interest in all blocks (typically 20-41%) and operates several marginal fields directly. Its role as concessionaire was separated from its commercial operations under 2019 sector reforms, with ANPG assuming the regulatory and block allocation functions.
Licensing Rounds and Exploration
ANPG has conducted several licensing rounds to attract new investment, particularly in:
- Kwanza Basin pre-salt: Geological analogue to Brazil’s prolific pre-salt formations, generating significant exploration interest
- Namibe Basin: Frontier acreage in southern Angola, ultra-deep water with limited well data
- Onshore blocks: Interior basins (Congo and Kwanza onshore) with historical exploration but limited modern development
The 2023-2025 licensing rounds have attracted interest from both established majors and smaller exploration companies, though global ESG pressures and energy transition concerns have moderated the competitive intensity relative to earlier decades.
Strategic Significance
Angola’s block system is fundamental to understanding production trajectories, fiscal revenue projections, and FDI flows. New block developments in the Kwanza and Namibe basins represent the long-term upside for production recovery, while mature blocks in the Lower Congo require enhanced recovery investment to slow natural decline. The balance between these dynamics will determine whether Angola can sustain production above 1 million bpd through the end of the decade.