ABOUT US
In 1976, Sonangol was created as the state-owned company dedicated to managing the exploration of hydrocarbon resources in Angola.
In 2019, following the Angolan Government’s program to reorganise the oil sector, ANPG was created to handle the responsibilities of Concessionaire.
Since then, IRDP has been the regulatory body for oil products.
Sonangol is dedicated to the exploration of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in the subsoil and on the continental shelf of Angola and is responsible for the exploration, production, manufacture, transport and marketing of hydrocarbons in Angola.
With the Angolan State as the only shareholder, Sonangol has always been managed under strict performance standards in order to ensure total efficiency and productivity.
With the aim of making it more agile and adapted to the new context and challenges of the oil industry, Sonangol in 2018 began the implementation of its regeneration plan, which consists of reorganising the company by business units.
UNTS (Trading and Shipping Business Unit) encompasses Sonangol’s international shipping and marketing activities. In order to ensure greater proximity to the international market and to better serve our customers, UNTS has offices in Luanda, London (Sonangol Limited), Houston (Sonangol USA) and Singapore (Sonangol Asia).
The geographic location of our offices allows us to create conditions for a 24-hour uninterrupted operation, thus guaranteeing the scope of the global market and a better understanding of the dynamics of supply and demand.
SONANGOL LIMITED
Based in London, Sonangol Limited was created on the 1st of February 1983 and this year we are also celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Essentially, it deals with the marketing of crude oil, gas and products, as well as the necessary corporate support activities from London.
The organisation structure of Sonangol Limited is comprised of Trading, Operations, Finance, Information Technology and Admin&HR Departments.
OUR PRODUCTS
UNTS (our business unit for Trading and Shipping) has a wide range of registered customers worldwide for the sale and purchase of crude oil and refined products.
To meet customer and market requirements, through UNTS Sonangol has a fleet of 33 vessels (owned and chartered) divided into the Suezmax, LNG and Cabotage fleet, responsible for transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and refined products.
As the largest physical marketer of Angolan crude oil, Sonangol markets the total oil assets of ANPG and Sonangol, representing an equity volume of around 40% of the country’s total production.
Oil operations in Angola
- Shallow Waters: Blocks 0, 2, 3 & 4
- Deep Waters: Blocks 14, 15, 17 & 18
- Ultra –Deep Waters: Blocks 31, 32
- Pre-Salt: Block 20 & 21
- Onshore: Future developments: Lower Congo Basin, Kwanza Basin, Namibe Basin & Benguela Basin
Further details of the Angolan concessions map can be found here.
The basket of 18 low sulphur crude grades provides a well-diversified selection for our customers.
Angolan grades are well traded by oil majors, end-users and trading houses, which results in very good price transparency.
Below you will find some details about the quality properties of our crude oil grades portfolio.
Sonangol sell in the international market LPG produced from Block 0 (Sanha FPSO) and from the ALNG plant in Soyo. Soyo plant is also the main source of our condensate cargoes.
You will find below the specifications of LPG and Condensates sold by Sonangol.
The Luanda Refinery produces LSFO that is used to supply the local market and the excess is exported to the international market. Due to its low sulphur content, our fuel oil is very sought after for bunkering.
You will find below typical properties for the Low Sulphur Fuel Oil and Naphtha supplied by the Luanda refinery.
OUR RESULTS
Dalia was the grade with the highest contribution to the volumes sold by Sonangol in 2022, followed by Mostarda, Girassol, Nemba and Cabinda.
In average our grades where valued at very close to the Dated Brent, which is our main benchmark for crude oil transactions. Clov was the grade that achieved the highest average value in 2022, followed by Girassol, Kissanje and Olombendo.
FUTURE PROJECTS
Green Energy
As part of the company’s energy transition strategy, Sonangol is conducting conceptual and engineering studies for the development of a green hydrogen production program.
In addition to the implementation of a green hydrogen program, Sonangol has sought to reaffirm its commitment to the energy transition. There is the development of a 100 MW solar power plant in the town of Quilemba, located in the country’s Huila Province, in collaboration with TotalEnergies. It has also a planned 50 MW solar plant to be developed in partnership with Eni, in the country’s Namibe Province.
Oil & Gas
Aligned with ANPG’s global objectives of maintaining sustainable oil and gas production in Angola, together with its partners, Sonangol has in its portfolio several projects that include the development of new fields, infills, and workover maintenance interventions that will contribute to the increase of production and attenuation of the rate of natural decline of mature fields.
In addition, as part of the New Gas Consortium, the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas project, comprising blocks 2/15, 3/15 and 15/14, is expected to bring a production rate of around four billion cubic meters of gas per year, with first gas planned for 2026.
Shipping
With the aim of maximizing the operational profitability of its vessels, Sonangol is implementing a program to renew its fleets, with the initial introduction of two new Suezmax vessels in 2023.
OUR CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS
As leading supplier of crude oil, LPG, fuel oil and condensates in the international market, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide high quality products to our customers, and we are dedicated to building long-lasting partnerships with all of our clients. We have a broad range of clients, including all major oil companies, and we have built our reputation on delivering consistent quality and reliability.
Our partnerships with major oil companies are a key part of our business. We also work closely with international banks to finance our projects. By working in partnership with these entities, we are able to leverage their expertise and knowledge to improve our own processes and ensure that we are delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers.
