LUANDA, Angola, August 11, 2026/APO Group/ —
Sebastião Gaspar Martins, Chairman of the Board of Angola’s national oil company (NOC), Sonangol, will speak at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Luanda on September 9-10, with a pre-conference day on September 8. Martins joins the conference as Sonangol advances a portfolio of strategic projects spanning deepwater production, refining and petroleum infrastructure, reinforcing the company’s central role in Angola’s efforts to sustain oil output while strengthening domestic fuel security.
Sonangol is expanding its upstream portfolio through partnerships with leading international operators. In June 2026, the company joined Azule Energy (operator), Equinor and national concessionaire ANPG in reaching a final investment decision on the $5.1 billion Greater PAJ development in Blocks 31 and 31/21. Angola’s first integrated development spanning two blocks, the project will develop an estimated 252 million barrels of reserves through a new FPSO capable of producing 95,000 barrels per day (bpd), with first oil targeted for 2029.
Alongside operator TotalEnergies and Petronas, Sonangol is also advancing the Kaminho project, the first deepwater development in the Kwanza Basin. The project will monetize resources from the Cameia and Golfinho fields through an FPSO with a production capacity of 70,000 bpd, with first oil planned for 2028. In Angola’s shallow waters, Sonangol is leading an infill drilling campaign at Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A. Drilling of the Pacassa SW well is underway, with the Impala-2 development well scheduled to spud shortly thereafter.
Onshore, Sonangol is advancing exploration activities across several blocks. The company operates Blocks KON 11, 12 and 15 in the Kwanza Basin and holds interests in acreage in the Lower Congo Basin. In June 2026, its exploration and production strategy received a significant boost through a $2.65 billion financing package arranged by a syndicate of international lenders.
Sonangol is also playing a leading role in Angola’s downstream expansion. The first phase of the Cabinda Refinery was inaugurated in September 2025, marking an important step toward reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The refinery has a planned processing capacity of 60,000 bpd, with Sonangol holding a 10% stake. Attention is also turning to the Lobito Refinery, where the company is engaging international financiers to close a $4.8 billion funding gap. Once completed, the 200,000-bpd facility will be Angola’s largest refinery, with its first phase scheduled to come online in 2027.
Against this backdrop, Martins’ participation at AOG 2026 comes as Sonangol accelerates investment across the upstream and downstream value chain. His participation will provide delegates with insight into the company’s strategic priorities while highlighting opportunities for collaboration with international operators, investors and financiers supporting Angola’s next phase of energy development.