Sonangol Unlocks New Gas Potential in Angola’s Benguela Basin

The Katambi-2 well reached two productive intervals, boasting reservoir quality that surpasses the original Katambi-1 discovery drilled by BP over a decade ago. While BP previously abandoned the site, deeming it commercially unviable, this new drilling effort—conducted just 1.3 kilometers from the original location—has yielded promising flow rates. Notably, the project marks the first full flow test conducted on a non-associated gas reservoir in the country, with preliminary assessments suggesting a production capacity exceeding 100 million standard cubic feet per day.

This discovery arrives as Angola attempts to reverse a long-standing decline in energy output. After domestic crude production dipped below 1 million barrels per day last year, output has stabilized at approximately 1.1 million barrels per day. By prioritizing non-associated gas, Angola is positioning itself to capitalize on global demand for energy supplies that bypass the geopolitical volatility of the Strait of Hormuz.