Angola: Saipem, BP and Eni on track to launch groundbreaking gas project.

Italian engineering, drilling and construction services giant Saipem has announced a major breakthrough in Angola's first non-associated gas development project. The company recently shipped the largest gas production topside ever built in Angola to the Quiluma offshore platform.

This project is part of a package of three contracts, one onshore and two offshore, awarded to Saipem in August 2022 by the New Gas Consortium (NGC). Weighing more than 2,500 tonnes, the structure was built on the Ambriz site, mobilising millions of man-hours and a skilled local workforce.

According to Saipem, this breakthrough is a decisive step in the NGC project, operated by Azule Energy, to increase the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet national and international energy needs.

NGC brings together several key players in the energy sector, including Azule Energy - a 50/50 joint venture between BP and Eni - alongside Sonangol, Chevron and TotalEnergies. Saipem has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to develop the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields, following the final investment decision (FID) in July 2022.

Azule Energy has confirmed the completion of the Quiluma and Maboqueiro offshore platforms, underlining the importance of the project for Angola's energy leadership. At the topside loading ceremony in Ambriz, officials highlighted the project's excellent safety record, with 2.5 million man-hours worked without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

The NGC project involves the exploration and production of gas in shallow waters from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields, as well as the construction of an onshore gas processing plant. This initiative aims to fully exploit Angola's natural gas resources, while contributing to the country's energy security and economic growth.

The extracted gas will be delivered to the Angola LNG plant in Soyo for liquefaction and export, while also meeting domestic demand for electricity. The first gas is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2026, producing 330 million cubic feet per day (around 4 billion cubic metres per year).

With an investment of $2.4 billion, Azule Energy has accelerated its production schedule by six months compared with initial forecasts. The company aims to boost Angola's gas export capacity and maximise the potential of offshore gas fields.

Although Phase 1 of the project is based on the shallow-water Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields, additional gas resources have been identified in Blocks 2, 3 and 15/14, opening up prospects for future expansion of Angola's gas industry.

With this project, Angola is strengthening its position as a key player in the global energy market, contributing to a more sustainable and secure future for its natural resources.