Africa-Press – Liberia. The American oil company Chevron announced a new oil discovery off the coast of Angola, considering it a step that strengthens its exploratory program in sub-Saharan Africa. A statement from the company quoted Chevron’s Vice President for Exploration Kevin McLachlan as saying that the discovery represents an important milestone in the company’s more than 70-year history in Angola and demonstrates the success of its strategy. He noted in remarks to a local source that the initial results are encouraging and that further work will reveal the full potential.
According to a local source, the advantage of this discovery lies in the existing infrastructure, as Chevron is considering connecting the new well to the existing facilities in the field rather than developing it as a standalone project, which “reduces capital expenditure and the time required to start production.”
These moves come at a time when Angola’s oil production is facing a decline. A local source reported, citing the National Agency for Oil, Gas, and Biofuels, that production fell in July 2025 to 998,757 barrels per day, the lowest level since March 2023. Angola left OPEC in 2023 to free itself from production quotas, aiming to maintain production above one million barrels per day. The Angolan Minister of Oil Diamantino Pedro Azevedo stated that limiting the decline in production represents “the biggest challenge” facing the government.
The new discovery holds special significance amid the ongoing decline in Angolan production, presenting a paradox for the government and the company between the reality of declining old fields and the opportunities of new fields that could restore some momentum to the country’s oil industry.
A Broader Map on the Continent
Chevron’s activities are not limited to Angola. According to the same statement, the company produces about 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (net share) in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, the company has become a partner in two offshore fields and has achieved three exploratory successes since late 2024. In Guinea-Bissau, the company announced securing three fields, the last of which was closed on the 13th of this month, while it obtained five exploratory licenses in Equatorial Guinea. In Namibia, Chevron plans to drill a well in the Orange Basin before the end of this year.
