Sonangol has initiated drilling an appraisal well on the Katambi discovery, a significant legacy pre-salt gas and condensate find in the offshore Kwanza basin. The original Katambi-1 well was drilled by BP in 2014 on Block 24, with Sonangol later acquiring BP's 50% stake. Sonangol previously estimated the discovery holds 1.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent in-place, comprising 8 trillion cubic feet of gas and 280 million barrels of condensate, which it claimed was Angola's largest gas field.

Regulatory and Commercial Context

Initially, there was little incentive for majors to develop such gas resources as the state owned the gas. Subsequent legislative changes granted companies rights to exploit gas, primarily for domestic use. This shift enabled business models like the Azule Energy-led Natural Gas Consortium, which is targeting offshore gas developments starting with the Quiluma-Maboqueiro project.

Current Operations and Data

The drillship West Gemini, in which Sonangol holds a 50% stake through its Sonadrill joint venture, has arrived on location. Seismic data provider TGS noted that Block 24 is partly covered by its multi-client 3D data, which is being fully reprocessed, and expressed optimism about the basin's potential. Regulatory mapping data also shows two undrilled pre-salt prospects, Mangandos and Dibando, within the block.

Development Challenges and Options

Developing Katambi presents logistical challenges due to its isolation, located roughly 500 kilometers south of existing offshore infrastructure. This distance will reduce to about 250 kilometers once TotalEnergies' Kaminho project is online. Potential development solutions, contingent on confirming sufficient resources, include a standalone floating LNG facility or piping gas and liquids approximately 75 kilometers to the Lobito industrial complex. Sonangol currently holds a 100% interest in Block 24 and would need to bring in a partner for any future development.