Luanda, Sept. 9, 2026 (Lusa) - Angola's National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), ExxonMobil and partners in Block 15 announced on Wednesday the discovery of a new oil well off the north-western coast of Luanda, the twentieth in the last 30 years.

The ANPG stated in a press release that the Vicango Este-01 exploration well in Block 15, located approximately 370 kilometres north-west of the Angolan capital's coast, was drilled to a depth of 940 metres by the Valaris DS-9 rig.

The exploration well contains hydrocarbons and marks the twentieth discovery in Angola's Block 15 over the past 30 years and the third in the last four years, according to the Angolan concessionaire.

According to the chairman of the ANPG board of directors, Paulino Jerónimo, quoted in the statement, the discovery «is partly the result of adjustments to the legal framework and the incentives that the Angolan State has granted to investors».

For the president of ExxonMobil Angola, Brian Unietes, this discovery, following more than 23 years of ‘successful' production in Block 15, demonstrates the ‘ongoing potential of Angola's offshore resources and reflects the company's continued commitment to the country's exploration and development'.

According to the ANPG, over the last 30 years, Block 15 has produced more than 2.7 billion barrels of oil, «which has generated significant value for all stakeholders».

ExxonMobil, through Esso Exploration Angola Limited, operates Block 15 and holds a 36% stake. The other partners are Azule Angola Limited (24%) , Azule Angola BV (18%), Equinor Angola (12%) and Sonangol E&P (10%). The ANPG is the concessionaire for this Block.

DAS/ADB // ADB.

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