Chevron Corp. has begun production at its South N’dola oil field off the coast of Angola, adding roughly 20,000 barrels per day to the nation’s output as the energy giant leverages existing infrastructure to boost returns from aging assets.
The field, located in Area B of the offshore Block 0 tract, represents approximately 12% of Angola’s daily energy production, according to the company. The Houston-based oil major tied the new platform back to its existing Mafumeira processing facility, allowing it to bring the project online with minimal capital expenditure and reduced environmental impact.
The development underscores Chevron’s strategy of maximising value from mature basins rather than pursuing costlier greenfield projects. By utilising spare capacity in existing infrastructure, the company avoided the need for new processing facilities or export terminals, a playbook increasingly common among international oil companies as they face pressure to improve capital efficiency.
Chevron holds a 39.2% operating stake in Block 0, which encompasses 21 fields, including Lifua A, the company’s first development in Angolan waters. The block has been a cornerstone of Chevron’s African operations for decades, though production from the region has declined as fields mature.
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The South N’dola project created more than 800 local jobs during construction and will continue supporting Angola’s energy sector through ongoing operations. The development aligns with Chevron’s broader push to enhance local economic participation in its international projects.
Beyond South N’dola, Chevron is advancing its Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, designed to bolster feed gas supply to the Angola LNG facility. The first phase will add 80 million cubic feet per day of gas capacity, with a subsequent booster compression module planned to contribute an additional 220 million cubic feet daily. The expansions will help optimise the pipeline’s full 600 million cubic feet per day capacity.
Angola remains Africa’s second-largest oil producer, though output has declined in recent years due to underinvestment and the natural depletion of legacy fields. The country produced approximately 1.15 million barrels per day in 2024, down from peak production of 1.8 million barrels daily in 2008.
Chevron’s investments come as Angola seeks to reverse production declines and attract fresh capital to its oil and gas sector. The government has introduced fiscal reforms and streamlined licensing processes to entice international operators back to its offshore waters.
The company also operates Block 14 offshore Angola, cementing its position as one of the country’s largest foreign investors in the energy sector.
