Angola’s Gas Pivot: Transitioning from Associated to Non-Associated Gas. Luanda, Angola — Angola is witnessing a significant shift in its energy strategy, moving away from the traditional reinjection of associated gas towards the development of non-associated gas resources. This strategic shift is aimed at optimizing LNG production, meeting domestic demand, and diversifying the country’s energy portfolio.
For decades, Angola has relied heavily on associated gas, a byproduct of oil production, for reinjection to enhance oil recovery and support offshore operations.
However, this approach has left substantial gas value untapped.
The construction of Angola LNG in 2008 marked a turning point, allowing the country to enter the global LNG market and reduce upstream emissions.
The New Gas Consortium, led by Azule Energy and including Sonangol, Equinor, and Acrep, is targeting non — associated gas fields in the Lower Congo Basin. Early developments like Quiluma and Maboqueiro are expected to contribute to filling Angola LNG’s capacity by 2026. Exploration momentum is also gaining pace.
Azule’s discovery at the Gajajeira-01 well in Block 1/14 in July 2025, along with planned exploration in the Congo Fan and Namibe Basin, reflects renewed confidence in Angola’s gas prospectivity. Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Gas-dominated pre-salt finds in the Kwanza Basin are currently stranded due to high development costs and the lack of nearby evacuation infrastructure.
TotalEnergies’Kaminho project in Block 20 is an exception, with the Cameia and Golfinho fields being developed for condensate recovery and gas reinjection. Infrastructure is a central bottleneck, with the African Energy Chamber noting the need for pipelines, connections to Luanda, and potential extensions to Soyo. High capital costs, transportation tariffs, and fiscal burdens have delayed investment decisions.
Looking ahead, domestic gas demand is set to grow, driven by power generation and industrial projects outlined in the Angola Gas Master Plan.
The 750 MW Soyo combined-cycle gas turbine and a proposed ammonia plant in Soyo are expected to increase demand significantly. NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, emphasized the importance of building infrastructure and pricing frameworks to support both export markets and domestic growth.
While Angola LNG will remain a cornerstone, the country’s gas strategy is evolving to include both exports and domestic markets.
Further details are expected as Angola continues to navigate the complexities of its energy transition.
