ExxonMobil has awarded a major engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract valued at up to $300 million to the Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA) for the Redevelopment 2.0 Likembe project at Angola’s Block 15 — launching a new chapter in the long-running life of one of the continent’s most significant deepwater oil assets.
The SIA, a joint venture between SLB OneSubsea and Subsea7, will execute subsea tie-back work connecting new developments to existing Block 15 infrastructure, allowing ExxonMobil to restore and increase production without the cost burden of constructing new offshore platforms. Subsea7 will oversee project execution through its offices in Paris, Luanda, Lisbon, and Sutton, while SLB OneSubsea will manufacture subsea control systems and smart cables at its Norwegian facilities.
Block 15 is among Angola’s most storied upstream assets. Since production began in 2003, the block — which contains 19 commercial discoveries and an estimated 3 billion barrels of recoverable resources — has produced approximately 2.5 billion barrels of oil. At its peak, it delivered over 600,000 barrels per day through four floating production units: Kizomba A, Kizomba B, Mondo, and Saxi-Batuque. ExxonMobil has operated the block since acquiring the licence in 1994.
A New Lease on Life
The redevelopment investment follows ExxonMobil’s successful extension of the Block 15 operating licence through 2037, secured in negotiations with Angolan authorities in November 2025. By leveraging existing offshore infrastructure, the Likembe tie-back project is designed to arrest production decline and push output higher — directly supporting Angola’s declared goal of maintaining national crude production above one million barrels per day as the country seeks to stabilise its upstream sector after leaving OPEC in 2023.
The project also reinforces Angola’s position as one of Africa’s most active deepwater investment destinations, coming on the heels of a wave of new licensing activity, incremental production initiatives, and major redevelopment campaigns across the country’s mature offshore portfolio. The SIA noted that the work builds on extensive offshore experience across West Africa, Australia, and the United States, while supporting local skills development and maintaining strong safety standards in Angola.
Source: angolanminingoilandgas.com