British upstream company Afentra has secured a 35% operated interest in Block KON4, an onshore oil block in Angola’s prolific Kwanza Basin, following government approval of a Risk Service Contract signed in May 2026. The award, ratified by Presidential Decree, marks a significant expansion of Afentra’s footprint in Angola’s mature onshore oil sector.
Covering an area of approximately 1,387 square kilometres, KON4 contains 11 oil fields and 2 gas fields, with a cumulative production history of more than 90 million barrels of oil equivalent. At the heart of the block sits Quenguela Norte — the largest onshore oil discovery in the basin to date, estimated to hold over 200 million barrels of oil in place within Tertiary reservoirs. The field produced up to 12,000 barrels per day at its peak before operations ceased in 1999, having yielded approximately 46 million barrels before abandonment.
Initial technical and subsurface activities have already commenced at KON4, including assessment of Quenguela Norte’s restart potential. Afentra is integrating data from a recent high-resolution extended Full Tensor Gravity survey with existing seismic datasets to map exploration prospects across both Tertiary and Cretaceous formations — areas the company describes as previously overlooked. Regulatory and permitting reviews are also underway.
Beyond near-term redevelopment, the block offers meaningful exploration upside supported by the block’s proximity to established infrastructure, including the Luanda refinery and transport networks, which are expected to enable cost-efficient early production.
Afentra CEO Paul McDade said KON4 represents a key milestone in the company’s strategy. “KON4 brings a compelling mix of near-term redevelopment potential — anchored by the Quenguela Norte field — and meaningful exploration upside, supported by favourable fiscal terms and proximity to the Luanda refinery,” he said. “Together with our non-operated interests in KON15 and KON19, we now hold a well-rounded and complementary position across the basin.”
Under the consortium structure, Afentra and Grupo Simples Oil each hold 35% interests, Sonangol E&P holds 20%, while Brite’s Oil and Gas and Sodedurs each hold 5%. A formal contract signing is expected at a later date.
Source: prospect-intel.com | angolanminingoilandgas.com | London Stock Exchange