Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Country Notes

Angola

Proved recoverable reserves (crude oil and NGLs, million tonnes)	1 221
Production (crude oil and NGLs, million tonnes, 2005)	62.3
R/P ratio (years)	19.6
Year of first commercial production	1956

Proved reserves of oil (9 050 million barrels, as quoted by World Oil) are the second largest in sub-Saharan Africa. Oil & Gas Journal has recently raised its estimate (to 8 billion barrels at end-2006); the other standard published sources all quote levels close to that of World Oil.

The early discoveries (from 1955 onwards) were made on land, but the greater part of Angola's oil resources lies in the coastal waters of its enclave of Cabinda and off the north-western mainland. Major discoveries have since been made in deep water locations. Offshore exploration and production activities largely escaped disruption during the long civil war, and output has risen sharply since 2001. By far the greater part of the crude produced is exported. Angola became a member of OPEC with effect from 1 January 2007.