Home Southern Africa Angola Extends Block 17 Oil Contract, Reinforcing Long-Term Energy Security and Investment

Southern Africa

Angola Extends Block 17 Oil Contract, Reinforcing Long-Term Energy Security and Investment

June 15, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

ExxonMobil, in collaboration with its partners TotalEnergies (the block’s operator), Equinor, Azule Energy, and Angola’s state oil company Sonangol, has signed a significant extension to the production-sharing contract (PSC) for Block 17 — one of Angola’s most productive offshore oil concessions. The agreement was officially sealed during a formal signing ceremony held on Wednesday.

This contract renewal ensures the sustained development and operational longevity of Block 17, a crucial asset that has consistently underpinned Angola’s oil production levels, helping maintain output above the 1 million barrels per day (bpd) threshold. The block encompasses several high-performing offshore fields, including Girassol, Dalia, CLOV, and Pazflor, which together have driven Angola’s deepwater oil success for more than 20 years.

Since the early 2000s, the consortium led by TotalEnergies has made Block 17 a centrepiece of Angola’s hydrocarbon sector. By deploying advanced deepwater exploration and production technologies, the partners have maximised output from this mature area and contributed significantly to Angola’s export earnings and energy infrastructure.

The renewed PSC grants operators continued access to existing offshore infrastructure, allowing for further optimisation of costs and enhancing recovery techniques. These measures are expected to extend the economic and productive lifespan of the block well into the next decade, ensuring the asset continues to yield value even as some of its fields mature.

Moreover, this extension reinforces investor confidence in Angola’s oil industry at a time when global competition among oil-producing nations is intensifying. It also reflects the government’s broader strategic objective to maintain its relevance in the global oil market while navigating the challenges of the energy transition.

In tandem with the Block 17 renewal, ExxonMobil is accelerating its exploration activities in the Namibe Basin — specifically in Blocks 30, 44, and 45. These underexplored frontier blocks represent the next frontier for oil discovery in Angola and are seen as key to diversifying and replenishing the country’s upstream resource base.

This comprehensive effort extends mature production and unlocks new reserves, aligning with Angola’s national energy strategy: to secure long-term energy revenues, attract sustained foreign investment, and reinforce its status as a stable and reliable oil exporter in Africa.