By Obiabin Onukwugha
Chevron says it has discovered oil and gas condensate at an exploration well in Block 0, offshore Angola.
The company revealed this on Monday saying the new discovery will add to its push to increase production in sub-Saharan Africa through infrastructure-led exploration.
Block 0 is operated by Chevron subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil, which holds a 39.2% working interest. Sonangol E&P has a 41% working interest, TotalEnergies 10% and Azule Energy 9.8%.
Angola is sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer. The country introduced a presidential decree in late 2024 that included reforms and tax cuts aimed at making mature blocks more investible and spurring exploration.
The well in Angola’s Lower Congo Basin encountered an oil and gas condensate column exceeding 600 meters in the Pinda reservoir, including more than 90 meters of net pay in what Chevron described as high-quality rock.
The energy major said the discovery builds on a successful exploration program in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is producing around a net 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The company plans to assess whether the discovery can be tied to nearby existing facilities to reduce costs and speed up production.
Chevron expanded its regional acreage over the past year, adding offshore Nigerian blocks and securing interests in Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
It is also exploring several Angolan blocks and plans a multi-well program across the region, including Namibia’s Nabba-1X, well before year-end.
Reuters reported that Chevron has been in Angola since the 1930s and holds an operating interest in two concessions, Block 0, off the coast of Cabinda province, and Block 14, in deep water.
