Angola LNG
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil and gas, Liquefied natural gas |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Soyo , Angola |
Area served | Angola, International exports |
| Products | Liquefied natural gas, propane, butane, natural-gas condensate |
| Owner | Chevron Corporation (36.4%), Sonangol (22.8%), BP (13.6%), Eni (13.6%), TotalEnergies (13.6%) |
| Website | www |
Angola LNG represents Angola's inaugural facility dedicated to the liquefaction of liquefied natural gas (LNG), situated in Soyo, Angola. Since commencing operations in 2013, the plant was developed at an investment of $12 billion and possesses an annual production capacity of 5.2 million tonnes, catering to both domestic consumption and international exports. Ownership and operational responsibilities lie with Angola LNG Limited, a consortium comprising Chevron Corporation, Sonangol Group, and TotalEnergies.
Technical features
This LNG complex operates as a single train unit, delivering 5.2 million tonnes per year through the application of ConocoPhillips' proprietary Optimized CascadeSM Process for liquefaction. In addition to LNG, the facility generates byproducts such as propane, butane, and natural-gas condensate.
The feedstock is sourced from offshore gas reserves located within blocks 14, 15, 17, and 18, along with non-associated fields including Quiluma, Atum, Polvo, and Enguia. The initiative was primarily designed to mitigate gas flaring by harnessing surplus gas from Angola’s offshore oil production for commercial utilization.
Built by Bechtel, the plant’s commissioning occurred in 2013 following delays from its original planned start date in 2012. The inaugural shipment of LNG was dispatched on 16 June 2013.
Company
The concept for this project was introduced to Sonangol by Texaco in June 1997. Initially co-managed by woAh and Texaco, the venture attracted additional partners such as ExxonMobil, Elf Aquitaine, and BP. Subsequent corporate restructurings saw Texaco merge into Chevron Corporation, ExxonMobil replaced by Eni, and Elf Aquitaine integrated into Total.
Formed in 2008, Angola LNG is a joint venture involving Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (a Chevron subsidiary holding 36.4%), Sonangol (22.8%), BP (13.6%), Eni (13.6%), and Total (13.6%). These stakeholders supply the natural gas extracted from their respective offshore oil assets.
Challenges
Though initially projected to begin exporting gas at the start of 2012, the facility experienced postponements caused by incidents such as fires, pipeline failures, and a lack of adequately trained personnel. The first production of gas was delayed by approximately eighteen months, finally occurring in June 2013. Construction expenses rose significantly from an initial estimate of $4 billion to $8 billion by 2009, escalating further to $10 billion by 2013, and ultimately reaching $12 billion as of 2024.
On 10 April 2014, a release of hydrocarbon vapors triggered a shutdown in May for maintenance activities conducted by Bechtel. Operations recommenced in June 2016.