Luanda – Angolan head of state João Lourenço Tuesday in Luanda said the Executive is implementing natural gas projects aimed at supporting the implementation of steel and petrochemical industries, as well as fertilizer companies, among others, to ensure the country’s sustainable development.
The statesman announced the ongoing process on completion of a master plan for natural gas to set basis for achieving potential of resources over the next 30 years, in order to guarantee the creation of jobs and the generation of revenue for the State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Angola Oil and Gas Conference, João Lourenço pointed to the 2018 Presidential Legislative Decree as the document that establishes the legal and fiscal regime applicable to exploration, production and sale of non-associated petroleum gas.
He explained that based on this legal diploma that natural gas structuring projects are being implemented, with particular emphasis on the new consortium to ensure the permanent supply of this product to the Angola LNG factory and to the Soyo combined cycle thermal power plant.
Petroleum
João Lourenço announced that the Executive adopted measures for the period 2020-2025 with a view to bidding new oil concessions, aimed at awarding 59 new blocks, of which 20 have already been delivered.
Angola, stated the president, is implementing a refining strategy and a programme to improve oil by-products that includes an increase in onshore storage and the construction of fueling stations in all municipal capitals.
The President recalled that the refining strategy includes the expansion of the Luanda Refinery with the installation of a new catalytic reform unit, already completed, which quadrupled gasoline production and the construction of three new refineries, namely in Cabinda (60,000 arrels/day), Soyo (100,000) and Lobito (200,000).
Environmental measures
On the other hand, the Head of State reaffirmed that Angola is working with its partners to decarbonize the oil industry, reduce polluting gas emissions and other recent techniques, such as capturing and storing carbon at safe depths in the ocean.
“In view of the growing environmental concerns, the energy transition to a low-carbon economy is a theme in the current strategy of the oil sector, which is perfectly aligned with the Executive”, he referred.
He announced that those involved in prospecting, exploration and production of oil and gas have been instructed to adopt measures to mitigate and offset greenhouse gas emissions.
To this purpose, the Statesman highlighted the elimination or reduction of gas flaring, the adoption of less polluting operational equipment, the protection and conservation of flora and fauna and reforestation.
The president called for the promotion of sustainable exploitation of fossil energy resources and to use part of its profits and technical capacity to gradually encourage and strengthen the emergence of an industry of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and others.
João Lourenço said that Sonangol and partners such as ENI and TOTAL Energies are engaged in the construction of photovoltaic power plants in Caramulo and Quilemba, in the provinces of Namibe and Huíla, respectively, to contribute with clean energy to the national energy matrix.
He mentioned that the aforementioned Angolan company has established partnerships with German industries to develop green hydrogen production projects at its development and research center in Sumbe, Cuanza Sul, which will guarantee its business portfolio and promote the country’s development in the field of renewable energy.
The Holder of Executive Power appealed to the oil industry to pay special attention to young graduates, creating conditions for their insertion in the labour market or, at least, guaranteeing the conditions for curricular and professional internships.
The President of the Republic reaffirmed that Angola is open to national and foreign private investment with contractual and tax terms and conditions for all who intend to invest in the country.
Source: Angola Press News Agency