Offshore Angola: Afentra set for first operatorship and BOURBON, ExxonMobil ink crew boat contract

Two projects demonstrate Angola's strategic focus on expanding its oil production capabilities and modernizing offshore operations.

Afentra set for first operatorship offshore Angola

Afentra, an Africa-focused E&P independent, has signed Heads of Terms for a Risk Service Contract (RSC) for Block 3/24 offshore Angola.

This is adjacent to Block 3/05 and 5A, where the company has partnership interests. But the new award represents Afentra’s first offshore operatorship, the company said.

Formal award of the license should follow in the next few months after the Angolan government confirms its approval.

Block 3/21 covers a 545-sq-km area containing five oil and gas discoveries, all close to established shallow-water infrastructure, in particular in Block 3/05.

The RSC terms include an initial five-year period to review the development potential for both the known discoveries and exploration prospects. Once a commitment to a development has been taken, as 25-year production period would subsequently be confirmed by the government.

Afentra will have a 40% interest, in partnership with Maurel & Prom Angola (40%) and Sonangol E&P (20%).

The block’s five discoveries—Palanca North East, Quissama, Goulongo, Cefo and Kuma—are all in the same Pinda reservoir as the oil fields in blocks 3/05 and 3/05A. Block 3/21 also includes the panuku field cluster, developed by Sonangol in 2001-2008, which produced at rates up to 12,000 bbl/d.

Afentra estimates more than 130 MMbbl of oil and 400 Bcf in place from the overall discovered resource, with potential for short-cycle, low-cost development tiebacks to facilities in Block 3/05. Further exploration prospects have been identified based on 3D seismic data.

BOURBON secures long-term charter for new crew boats

ExxonMobil has awarded BOURBON a five-year charter contract for new 34-m crew boat vessels offshore Angola.

These will shuttle personnel to and from the port of Soyo and Block 15, which is 80 miles offshore. 

BOURBON reported that the vessels have been tailored to ExxonMobil’s needs, and they will replace the 32-m crew liners currently deployed for the existing contract with ExxonMobil.

The new crew boats provide a cruising speed of up to 38 knots, a 10-15% reduction in fuel consumption compared with the previous vessels, and an onboard comfort upgrade to premium standard on board. 

All the new vessels, designed by naval engineering company MAURIC, will have 60 passenger seats, 18 sq m of foredeck space for small parcels, a redesigned navigation bridge (designed to deliver improved visibility and better ergonomics), and a real-time energy performance monitoring system.

They are due to be delivered to Angola in 2027.