CAPITAL: Luanda

MONETARY UNIT: Kwanza

REFINING CAPACITY: 39,000 b/cd

PRODUCTION: 761,800 b/d

OIL/CONDENSATE RESERVES: 5.4 billion bbl

NATURAL GAS RESERVES: 1.6 tcf

The stunning string of deepwater discoveries to which Angola played host for several years continued in 1999.

Early in the year, no deepwater fields were producing off Angola. The country had 12 subsea well completions in a mean water depth of 98 m, the Infield database showed. That was to grow by 243 subsea completions in a mean 1,043 m of water during 1999-2007, Infield indicated.

Drilling success during 1999 was believed to have expanded the latter figure greatly.

On Block 17, the 1999 Cravo, Tulipa, and Orquidea discoveries joined 1998`s Rosa and Lirio, 1997`s Dalia, and 1996`s Girassol. The finds, with combined recoverable potential exceeding 2 billion bbl of oil equivalent, are 125 miles northwest of Luanda. Elf said the block`s reserves potential exceeds 3.5 billion bbl, with several more promising prospects to be drilled.

The scope of discoveries led to the idea of grouping them in at least three development centers, each capable of producing 200,000-250,000 b/d. The first, Girassol field, has reserves of 725 million bbl with potential to reach 1 billion bbl. It would start up in mid-2001.

The second production center, at Dalia, could start up by yearend 2003.

The third, encompassing four or five fields including Rosa, Lirio, and Orquidea, consists of more than 1 billion bbl of reserves and would take more time.

Esso reported the fifth find on Block 15, Chocalho. It joined the previous Hungo, Kissanje, Marimba, and Dikanza discoveries some 230 miles west of Luanda.

BP Amoco and Shell found Plutonia field on Block 18 with a discovery well that flowed 5,700 b/d of oil through a restricted choke. Plutonia joined the Platina discovery tested earlier. BP Amoco, Elf, and Exxon were awarded Block 31 covering 5,400 sq km in the Lower Congo basin. First drilling was likely in 2001.

Block 32, west of Block 17, went to a group led by Elf. Elf produced 200,000 b/d from Block 3 in shallower water. Exxon won operatorship of Block 33.

Agip and Esso signed a production sharing contract on Block 25 some 390 km south of Luanda.

As 1998 ended, Sonangol awarded Kwanza basin deepwater production sharing agreements to groups led by BHP Petroleum and Texaco. BHP is operator of 5,000 sq km Block 21. Texaco operates Block 22, covering 4,860 sq km 225 km south of Luanda.

Chevron started production from Banzala field on Block O 12 miles off Cabinda. Yearend 1999 production was to reach 25,000 b/d via pipeline to Malongo terminal, hiking Block O production to 500,000 b/d.