US energy major Chevron has begun oil production from its South N’dola platform offshore Angola, marking a new milestone in efforts to sustain output from the country’s mature offshore assets, the company said.
The platform achieved first oil in December, just over two years after construction began, Chevron said in a statement. South N’dola is located in Block 0, one of Angola’s most prolific offshore areas, and is expected to strengthen the block’s contribution to national energy supply.
Block 0 currently accounts for around 12 percent of Angola’s daily oil and gas output, according to Chevron. The South N’dola development is tied back to the nearby Mafumeira processing facility, allowing production to come on stream without the need for standalone infrastructure, a strategy aimed at reducing costs and speeding up project delivery.
“Underpinned by the prolific Block 0, safely achieving first oil at South N’dola is the latest example of Chevron’s efforts to maximise production from our existing offshore assets in Angola,” said Brent Gros, president of Chevron’s offshore business.
Angola, sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer after Nigeria, has struggled in recent years with declining output due to underinvestment and natural decline at ageing fields. The government has been pushing international oil companies to extend the life of mature assets while attracting fresh investment into exploration and new developments.
More Read
Chevron has been operating in Angola for more than seven decades through its subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company. It is the operator of Block 0 and the deepwater Block 14, and remains one of the largest international energy players in the country.
The construction phase of the South N’dola platform created more than 800 jobs, Chevron said, underscoring the sector’s importance to employment and skills development in Angola. Once fully operational, the platform will supply hydrocarbons to domestic processing facilities, supporting local energy needs alongside exports.
Beyond Angola, Chevron operates upstream and downstream assets across several continents. In southern Africa, the company plays a key role in offshore oil and gas production and works with the Angolan authorities to develop energy infrastructure and promote local content.
More Read
Angola’s government has said optimising production from existing fields is critical to stabilising revenues as the country balances its reliance on oil with longer-term economic diversification goals.
