17 June 2013, Luanda – The first cargo of gas from the Angola liquefied natural gas, LNG, project, in Soyo, has shipped to Brazil.
This is in line with the Angolan government’s earlier announcement that the plant will ship its first cargo before the end of this month.
A Chevron Corporation subsidiary, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited – one of the partners on the project – confirmed that initial production of liquefied natural gas has commenced at the plant.
The $10 billion Angola LNG is one of the largest energy projects on the African continent.
“First gas at Angola LNG is an important milestone in support of our strategic plan to grow our production,” said George Kirkland, vice chairman of Chevron Corporation.
“This project will commercialise natural gas resources in western Africa to meet growing demand in the region and internationally,” he said.
The project will collect and transport natural gas from offshore Angola to an onshore liquefaction plant on the coast near the Congo River.
The project has the capacity to produce 5.2 million metric tons per year of LNG, 63,000 barrels per day of natural gas liquids for export and 125 million cubic feet per day of natural gas for domestic consumption.
“The project represents the first LNG project in Angola , and it is expected to contribute to the development of Angola’s natural gas industry,” said Ali Moshiri , president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company.
Angola LNG plans to use associated natural gas produced from existing crude oil operations operated by Chevron and other partners as well as new non-associated gas from other offshore fields.
The project is expected to reduce natural gas flaring and greenhouse gas emissions from offshore producing areas, and support continued offshore oil field development.
Chevron’s subsidiary, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited, has a 36.4 percent interest in the joint-venture, along with state-run Sonangol with a 22.8 percent interest and subsidiaries of Total, BP and ENI, each with a 13.6 percent interest.
