Angola offshore gas well marks shift from oil to gas
Angola’s first dedicated offshore gas well, Gajajeira-01, has been hailed as marking a historic shift from oil dependence to natural gas, but experts warn over the use of gas as a transition fuel.
A joint venture between BP and Eni discovered offshore gas along Angola’s coast, following the successful drilling of the Gajajeira 01 well. This is the country’s first exploration well dedicated solely to natural gas.
Azule Energy operates the joint block with a 35% share. Other consortium members includes Equinor with 30%, Angola’s state-owned Sonangol E&P holding 25%, and local company Acrep SA with the remaining 10%.
According to a statement by Azule Energy, the well was spudded on April 1st in water depths of 95 metres, approximately 60 kilometres off the coast.
“It encountered gas- and condensate-bearing sandstones in one of the Lower Oligocene targets, designated LO100. The first section was safely drilled using advanced formation evaluation and control tools to assess reservoir quality and fluid characteristics, prioritising the safety of operations,” said the statement.
Paulino Jerónimo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), said these new discoveries are a motivating factor in ongoing efforts to attract private investment in the sector for the development and monetisation of natural gas.
“This resource is vital for enhancing energy access and domestic consumption, as well as for boosting Angola’s petrochemical and fertiliser industries.”
Adriano Mongini, CEO of Azule Energy, said that this is a landmark moment for gas exploration in Angola. He noted that Gajajeira-01 is the country’s first dedicated gas exploration well, and its success reinforces confidence in the potential of the Lower Congo Basin.
“We are proud to contribute to Angola’s long-term energy development with a focus on sustainability and energy security.”
In 2013 Angola launched its LNG plant in Soyo to curb gas flaring and monetise offshore associated gas. The country’s Gas Master Plan, targets a 25 percent share of gas in the national energy mix by 2025.
Shift to gas
Ayodeji Stephen, Lead at HydroGEM Energy Advisory, told Gas Outlook that the Gajajeira-01 well of the Lower Congo Basin marks Angola’s first exploration well dedicated solely to natural gas, a historic shift from its traditional focus on oil and associated gas.
He said that with estimated reserves of over 1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate, this discovery strengthens Angola’s resource base and diversifies its energy portfolio.
“It signals a strategic pivot toward gas as a key driver of economic and energy development, reducing reliance on volatile oil markets following Angola’s exit from OPEC in 2023.
Natural gas is positioned as a transition fuel in Angola’s energy strategy, offering a lower-carbon alternative to oil and coal.
“The discovery aligns with Angola’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which recognizes gas as a means to support economic growth while reducing emissions. By enabling gas-to-power generation, industrial development, and fertilizer production, Gajajeira-01 supports Angola’s goal to increase gas in its energy mix to 25% by 2025, up from 7–10%. The prohibition on gas flaring and plans for carbon capture feasibility studies further enhance the transition’s sustainability,” he added.
Risks of using gas as a transition fuel
However Katlong Alex, an energy sustainability analyst at the African Energy Council, told Gas Outlook that while natural gas is often promoted as a transition fuel due to its lower carbon emissions compared to coal and oil, its use carries significant risks that could undermine long-term climate goals.
He said that one of the most critical concerns is methane leakage; natural gas is primarily methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.
“Even small leaks during extraction and transport can offset the environmental benefits of switching to gas. Additionally, heavy investment in gas infrastructure risks locking countries into fossil fuel dependency, creating stranded assets as the world moves toward renewables.
Alex said this reliance can also delay the adoption of cleaner technologies like solar and wind, especially in regions with weak policy enforcement.
“Moreover, gas extraction methods such as fracking pose environmental and health risks, including groundwater contamination and air pollution. While gas may serve as a useful stepping stone, it must be managed with strict regulations, methane control, and a clear exit strategy to ensure it doesn’t become a barrier to deep decarbonisation,” he stressed.
Gas flaring
Elizabeth Obode, Senior Strategy Consultant at Oliver Wyman for the Middle East and Africa, said that gas commercialisation is a proven way to significantly reduce routine gas flaring. No one would want to see potential revenues literally burning away. She said that since the LNG export plant restarted in 2016, the volume and intensity of flared gas has been declining from more than 4 bcf in 2016 to less than 2 bcf in 2022.
“Additionally, Angola has made other commitments to end routine flaring by 2030. It is a signatory to the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative. As long as there is a pathway to commercialisation, flaring, except for maintenance emergencies, makes no sense.
“Reaching 25% share of gas in the national energy mix is hinged on two factors – reserves and infrastructure. The Gajajeira-01 well and other future potential finds are meeting the reserves part of the equation. The next part of that is the infrastructure/facilities to get the cleaned gas to the consumers. Once that part is met, the vision of the Gas Master Plan is achievable.”
Historically, Angola flared much of its associated gas from oil operations due to limited infrastructure. Stephen said the NGMP and Gajajeira-01 shift focus to non-associated gas, reducing flaring by monetising gas for domestic use and export.
“The Angola LNG project, processing 1.1 billion cubic feet per day, and the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, operational in 2024, already cut emissions by supplying gas to power plants and LNG facilities. Gajajeira-01’s gas will further reduce flaring, aligning with Angola’s net-zero by 2050 commitment,” he said.
(Writing by Samuel Ajala; editing by Sophie Davies)