The General Strategy for Attribution of Petroleum Concessions for the period 2019-2025, which was approved through the Presidential Decree No. 52/19 of 18 February 2019, has as main objectives increasing oil and gas production in Angola and ensuring the replacement of reserves to make up for the decline in production registered in the country in the recent years.
Against that background, the National Agency of Oil, Gas and Biofuels ("ANPG"), as the National Concessionaire and holder of the petroleum mining rights in Angola, published an Announcement of Intent in order to disclose that, on the next 30 April 2021, it shall proceed to Launch the Tender for Attribution of Petroleum Concessions “Bidding 2020”, for the petroleum exploration of nine blocks:
i) three blocks in the Lower Congo Onshore Basin (CON1, CON5, CON6); and
ii) six blocks in the Kwanza Onshore Basin (KON5, KON6, KON8, KON9, KON17 and KON20).
The participation in the referred tender has as a mandatory condition the payment of an Entry Fee, in the amount of USD 1.000.000, which shall allow access to the data packages in respect of the basins to be bid upon.
According to the President of ANPG’s Board of Directors, the “Bidding 2020” process aims to: "re-launch hydrocarbons exploration and production in the onshore areas of the referred basins, reduce the decline in production, by increasing exploration activity and discovery of new resources, stimulate the local emergence of small and medium sized oil companies, promote the incorporation of qualified Angolan labour, as well as foster technological innovation and good governance practices".
The proposals may be submitted to tender until 9 June 2021 and the proposals opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 June 2021. The date and venue of the Technical Presentations (“Roadshows”) shall be reported through public announcement on the ANPG official website, as well as through the national and international media. The ANPG has already clarified that the Roadshows shall be presented under virtual format (Livestreaming or Webinar), thus allowing a transparent process for the potential investors, by virtue of the situation experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.