Norwegian energy major Equinor has entered Angola’s offshore acreage through the acquisition of a 30% participating interest in Block 16/21, a move that signals renewed international appetite for exploration in the Lower Congo Basin.
The deal was signed with block operator TotalEnergies in the presence of Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) on 11 June 2026, marking Equinor’s entry into the exploration asset. The transaction remains subject to final regulatory approval.
Block 16/21 sits in the Lower Congo Basin and is strategically positioned adjacent to the prolific Block 17, which hosts world-class developments including the CLOV and Dalia fields. The block already contains two historical discoveries — Bengo (1994) and Longo (1995) — and is supported by 3,684 kilometres of seismic data coverage that was reprocessed by TGS in 2025, providing a modern technical foundation for the upcoming exploration programme.
According to the ANPG, the agreement between TotalEnergies and Equinor reflects a shared ambition to explore and develop new oil and gas resources in Angola’s offshore, as the country continues efforts to attract international capital and sustain production levels.
Source: prospect-intel.com