News | November 7, 2022

ExxonMobil, Partners Make New Discovery On Angola Block 15

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

  • Discovery at Bavuca South-1 Exploration Well, part of the Angola Block 15 redevelopment project
  • Redevelopment project expected to deliver around 40,000 barrels of oil per day
  • Eighteenth discovery in Angola Block 15, first in nearly 20 years

The well encountered 30 meters (98 feet) of high-quality, hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone. It is located approximately 365 kilometers northwest off the coast of Luanda and was drilled in 1,100 meters (3,608 feet) of water by the Valaris DS-9 rig.

“ExxonMobil is optimizing this resource and delivering value to the people and government of Angola, our Block 15 partners and our shareholders,” said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. “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% 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.

About ExxonMobil Angola
Since 1994, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, an affiliate of ExxonMobil, is the operator of Block 15 with 36 percent participating interest. ExxonMobil in Angola also has 18 percent 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 percent participating interest in the three blocks.

About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. The corporation’s primary businesses - Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions - provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower-emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources, and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants and chemical companies in the world. For more information, visit exxonmobil.com and the Energy Factor.

Source: ExxonMobil