Chevron has achieved a major operational milestone in Angola, delivering first oil from its South N’dola offshore platform in December, just over two years after construction began. The project reinforces Chevron’s long-standing role in one of Africa’s most important offshore oil provinces and highlights its strategy of extracting incremental value from mature assets.
The South N’dola Platform is located in Block 0, a prolific offshore area that accounts for roughly 12% of Angola’s daily oil production. Rather than developing a standalone processing facility, Chevron opted for a cost-efficient tieback solution, linking South N’dola directly to the nearby Mafumeira processing complex. Oil and gas produced at the platform are processed at Mafumeira before being transported to export terminals, eliminating the need for duplicate infrastructure offshore.
“Underpinned by the prolific Block 0, safely achieving first oil at South N’dola is the latest example of Chevron’s efforts to maximize production from our existing offshore assets in Angola,” said Brent Gros, president of Chevron Offshore Business.
The approach reflects a broader industry shift toward capital discipline, particularly in mature basins, where leveraging spare capacity and existing facilities can significantly reduce development costs while accelerating timelines. For Angola, the project supports near-term production stability at a time when many legacy fields are in natural decline.
South N’dola also underscores Chevron’s enduring presence in the country. The U.S. major has operated in Angola for more than 70 years and currently runs offshore operations in Blocks 0 and 14 through its subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company. During construction, the South N’dola project generated more than 800 local jobs, and now that production has begun, it will supply oil and gas to domestic facilities in addition to export markets.
The milestone comes as Chevron ramps up its broader Angolan portfolio. Alongside South N’dola, the company is expanding gas feedstock supply for the Angola LNG plant and pushing deeper into offshore exploration, including ultra-deepwater Blocks 49 and 50. Together, these projects signal Chevron’s continued commitment to Angola’s upstream sector and its role in supporting the country’s energy output, economic development, and long-term production resilience.
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