TotalEnergies has announced a series of exploration advances in Angola, including a new oil discovery on Block 17 that will reach first oil within three months, alongside agreements to enter two new exploration blocks in the Lower Congo Basin. The announcements were made by Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, at the Angola Oil & Gas Conference in Luanda on September 10, 2026.

Acacia-5 Discovery and Fast-Track Development

The centerpiece of TotalEnergies' announcement is the Acacia-5 discovery on Block 17, where the company holds a 38% operated interest. The well, located near existing infrastructure, was discovered in June 2026 and is set to achieve first oil just three months after that discovery date.

The rapid development timeline is made possible by leveraging available capacity on the Pazflor FPSO, which is already operating in the area.

Once online, Acacia-5 is expected to increase Block 17 production by 6,000 barrels per day.

The fast-track approach underscores TotalEnergies' strategy of capitalizing on proximity to existing offshore infrastructure to minimize development timelines and costs. Block 17 is operated by TotalEnergies at a 38% interest, with the remaining stakes held by Equinor at 22.16%, ExxonMobil at 19%, Azule Energy at 15.84%, and Sonangol E&P at 5%.

Second Angola Discovery of 2026

Acacia-5 represents the second exploration success TotalEnergies has recorded in Angola during 2026. The first came through a discovery on Block 0 in the prolific Lower Congo Basin, where TotalEnergies holds a 10% non-operated interest alongside Chevron, which operates the block with a 39.2% stake, Sonangol E&P at 41%, and Azule Energy at 9.8%.

The back-to-back successes signal continued momentum in Angola's offshore exploration environment, which TotalEnergies has described as a key pillar of its broader strategy in the country.

Entry into New Exploration Blocks 17/25 and 32/21

Alongside the discovery announcement, TotalEnergies confirmed it has signed agreements with Angola's national petroleum regulator, the Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis, known as ANPG, to enter exploration Blocks 17/25 and 32/21 with a 40% operated interest. The two new blocks are situated in the Lower Congo Basin and sit in close proximity to existing TotalEnergies-operated infrastructure in Blocks 17 and 32, where six FPSOs are currently in production.

TotalEnergies' partners in Blocks 17/25 and 32/21 are ExxonMobil, which also holds 40%, and Sonangol E&P with 20%. The company noted that both blocks benefit from extensive existing 3D seismic coverage and offer exposure to several prospective geological plays.

The proximity to existing facilities means that any future discoveries could be developed through tie-back solutions, enabling cost-efficient production without the need for entirely new infrastructure.

Benguela Basin Farm-In Agreement

TotalEnergies also highlighted a separate agreement signed in February 2026, in which the company entered into a Head of Agreement with ANPG and ExxonMobil to farm into exploration Blocks 40, 41, 42, and 58 in the Benguela Basin.

TotalEnergies is to hold a 35% interest in those blocks. The Benguela Basin assets represent an additional frontier for the company beyond its established position in the Lower Congo Basin, extending the geographic scope of its Angolan exploration program.

TotalEnergies' Broader Angola Position

TotalEnergies has maintained a presence in Angola since 1953 and currently employs approximately 1,500 people across various business segments in the country. Angola is described as one of the main contributing countries to TotalEnergies' global hydrocarbon production, with the company recording output of 156,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from Angola in 2025.

The company's deep offshore operated assets account for 45% of Angola's total oil production.

Beyond upstream oil and gas operations, TotalEnergies is also present in Angola through service stations operated in partnership with Sonangol and through renewable energy projects, which the company characterizes as part of its role in supporting Angola's energy transition.

Strategic Rationale and Executive Commentary

Commenting on the announcements, Pouyanné said the exploration successes demonstrate both the attractiveness of Angola as an investment destination and TotalEnergies' confidence in the country's future. He pointed to incentives introduced by Angolan authorities to encourage investment as a supportive factor in the company's exploration push.

Pouyanné stated that TotalEnergies and its partners aim to explore further and unlock new resources, sustaining a strong exploration effort to identify new opportunities across Angola's offshore basins.

The multiple moves announced in a single conference appearance reflect the scale of TotalEnergies' current commitment to Angola, spanning a rapid-cycle development on an existing block, entry into two new blocks adjacent to established hubs, and a separate farm-in agreement covering four additional blocks in a different basin.