In a groundbreaking advancement for Angola’s energy sector, the Angolan Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, alongside the Governor of Zaire Province, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, launched the second phase of the Falcão natural gas project last Thursday.
This project involves onshore infrastructure designed to enhance gas delivery from the Angola LNG plant’s dry and wet units to the existing Soyo I combined-cycle power plant. As a result, Sonangol’s processing capacity will increase from 75 million to 125 million cubic feet. The second phase also encompasses maintenance equipment and systems for liquid removal associated with gas, treatment, and quality measurement.
Minister Azevedo emphasized, during the launch, that the project not only expands reception and processing capabilities but also facilitates the distribution of gas for both industrial and petrochemical plants across the southern region. Natural gas serves as a primary raw material for producing liquid ammonia and resulting carbon dioxide gas, which is then combined to create urea fertilizer.
This development holds the potential to shift Angola away from its reliance on crude oil, fostering a diversified, non-commodity-based economy. By refining gas into liquid fuels, fertilizers, and other derivatives, Angola aims to build a resilient economy less susceptible to global market fluctuations, promoting growth in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
The initiative aligns with Angola’s 30-year gas master plan, aiming to generate new export revenue sources and stimulate job creation. Despite having substantial gas reserves, Angola historically prioritized crude oil exploitation. However, as the global energy landscape transitions toward cleaner fuel sources, Angola is actively pursuing a comprehensive gas monetization and utilization strategy.
The Angola LNG plant in Soyo, processing gas from seven offshore fields, plays a crucial role in gas monetization, reducing gas flaring and greenhouse gas emissions. Angola aspires to retain 25% of its natural gas production in-country by 2030, emphasizing associated value-added industries to support economic diversification. Gas-to-power initiatives are integral to Angola’s plans to increase electricity access to 60% by 2025.
These gas-focused developments and more will be explored at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2024 conference in Luanda next September, returning for its fifth edition. With natural gas contributing to energy transition goals, improved energy access, and economic diversification, investors, service providers, and technology firms have significant opportunities to engage in Angola’s gas development plans. For more information, visit www.angolaoilandgas.com.
