Angola advances refining ambitions

Long-standing plans to reduce import dependence in the crude-rich nation might finally be making progress

Angola continues to advance plans for a significant expansion of its refining sector, with more than 360,000bl/d of capacity under development. In the latest move, state-owned oil company Sonangol launched a tender in July for international investors to design, build, own and operate the largest of the proposed refineries—the 200,000bl/d facility at Lobito. The Angolan authorities hope to sign a memorandum of understanding with the tender winner in early November this year, followed by a partnership agreement by 1 February 2022. The Lobito plans have long stalled, with Sonangol having previously predicted the facility would be operational by as long ago as 2015. But the project “is part of t