Luanda: The country’s first non-associated gas project, currently under construction in Soyo, Zaire province, is slated for inauguration later this year, according to Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo. The announcement was made on Monday following an inspection visit to the New Gas Consortium (NCG) plant, led by Azule Energy, which is reported to be progressing on schedule.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Minister expressed confidence in the project’s timely completion, stating, “From what we have seen, everything is going as planned and we hope that the project will be inaugurated this year.” He emphasized the economic and social benefits of the project, highlighting job creation and increased tax revenue and foreign currency inflow as key outcomes.
The Minister outlined recent legislative changes in Angola aimed at boosting foreign private investment in gas exploration. This has facilitated the rapid discovery of new gas deposits not linked to oil. The project includes offshore platforms Quiluma and Maboqueiro, which will transport gas to the processing plant for treatment.
An integrated initiative, the New Gas Consortium is designed to extract, treat, and supply gas to the Angola LNG liquefaction complex and other industrial users. The Minister reiterated Angola’s commitment to non-associated gas production while enhancing fiscal policies to attract further investment.
He stressed the strategic importance of boosting the national gas supply to ensure cooking gas availability, support electricity generation, and provide raw materials for a future fertilizer factory in Soyo and a steel industry planned for Namibe province.
Led by Azule Energy, with partners Total Energies, Chevron, and Sonangol, the New Gas Consortium represents a substantial investment of approximately US$2.2 billion. The construction has engaged around four thousand workers, 78% of whom are Angolans.
Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver 330 million cubic feet of gas daily, stabilizing Angola LNG’s supply and enhancing domestic and industrial gas availability. The ministerial delegation, which included senior officials and Sonangol’s president, also visited the future fertilizer factory and the new Polythetic Higher Institute’s construction sites.