On August 14, Angola confirmed a major offshore natural gas and condensate discovery at the Gajajeira-01 well, operated by Azule Energy, the joint venture of BP and Eni. Preliminary estimates suggest the find contains more than one trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate. The discovery comes at a time when Angola’s oil output has stagnated, even after its departure from OPEC, pushing the government to accelerate diversification into gas as a driver of growth and exports. Officials stated that the discovery strengthens Angola’s plan to increase natural gas production by more than 20 percent within five years.
The pivot toward gas reflects a broader strategic recalibration. Oil production has struggled to maintain levels due to declining reservoir performance and delayed investment, leaving Angola’s state revenues exposed. In contrast, natural gas offers both export opportunities and domestic benefits: it can fuel power generation, provide feedstock for industrial projects, and anchor long-term energy security. Partnerships with international companies give Angola the technical and financial capacity to unlock these reserves while reinforcing its status as a credible energy supplier to Europe and Asia.
The discovery also highlights how African producers are seeking to balance their energy portfolios in response to global transition pressures. For Angola, expanding gas is not only about export revenues but also about strengthening its social contract by providing more reliable energy at home. Whether the government can channel these gains into tangible improvements for communities will influence its long-term social license to operate. As global markets increasingly demand both security of supply and evidence of responsible governance, Angola’s gas strategy will be judged as much by its developmental outcomes as by its production figures.
Country/Project Profile – Angola Gas Expansion
Lead Actors: Azule Energy (BP–Eni JV) and Angola’s Ministry of Petroleum
Key Project: Gajajeira-01 offshore gas and condensate discovery
Update (Aug 14, 2025): Estimated >1 Tcf gas and ~100M barrels condensate discovered
Energy Focus: Natural gas expansion (+20% output targeted in 5 years)
Strategic Role: Diversify from stagnant oil output, fuel industrialization, boost exports to Europe and Asia