KEY POINTS
- TotalEnergies has commenced production from the Begonia and CLOV Phase 3 offshore Angola projects, adding 60,000 bpd.
- Both projects are low-cost, low-emission subsea tie-backs to existing FPSOs, aligning with the firm’s low-carbon strategy.
- Angola’s production is expected to remain above 1 million bpd, aided by increased local content and strong international partnerships.
TotalEnergies has commenced oil production from two new offshore developments in Angola—Begonia and CLOV Phase 3—bringing a combined total of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the country’s output and reinforcing its commitment to low-cost, low-emission energy production in Africa.
The French energy company announced the successful start-up of the Begonia project, its first development on Block 17/06, and the CLOV Phase 3 project, both of which are subsea tie-backs to existing floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units.
Located approximately 150 kilometers off Angola’s coastline, the Begonia project consists of five wells tied back to the FPSO Pazflor. The field is expected to contribute 30,000 bpd. TotalEnergies operates the block with a 30 percent interest, alongside Angolan concessionaire ANPG and partners Sonangol E&P (30 percent), SSI (27.5 percent), ETU Energias (7.5 percent), and Falcon Oil (5 percent).
The CLOV Phase 3 project, situated 140 kilometers offshore, adds another 30,000 bpd through four wells connected to the FPSO CLOV. TotalEnergies, with a 38 percent stake and operator status, developed the project in partnership with ANPG and partners Equinor (22.16 percent), ExxonMobil (19 percent), Azule Energy (15.84 percent), and Sonangol E&P (5 percent).
Local content and innovation define Angola’s offshore push
Paulino Jerónimo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), praised the milestone, stating, “Good news for the country, as those two first oils will help Angola maintain its production levels above 1 million barrels per day.”
He highlighted the significance of local content in Begonia, calling it “the first project between blocks in Angola with a significant component of local content,” and described CLOV Phase 3 as “a great achievement resulting from intense work between the concessionaire and the B17 contractor group, operated by TotalEnergies.”
Both projects are built on TotalEnergies’ strategy of using existing infrastructure to limit environmental impact and reduce operational costs. By leveraging spare processing capacity on FPSO Pazflor and FPSO CLOV, the developments align with the company’s low-carbon ambitions and contribute to upstream production growth.
Nicolas Terraz, President of Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, stated, “With Begonia and CLOV Phase 3, we are leveraging available production capacity in existing FPSOs of Block 17 (Pazflor and CLOV) while reducing costs and emissions.” He added that the projects will support TotalEnergies’ goal of increasing upstream production by more than 3 percent in 2025.
TotalEnergies’ footprint strengthens in Angola amid shifting global dynamics
These developments mark another chapter in TotalEnergies’ longstanding presence in Angola, a country with one of Africa’s most mature offshore oil sectors. The company recently secured an extension for Block 17, further cementing its operational longevity in the region.
Industry analysts believe these tie-back projects illustrate a broader trend of maximizing value from existing offshore assets, especially in countries where new large-scale discoveries are limited and where energy security remains a top priority.
As Angola navigates its post-pandemic recovery and energy transition commitments, partnerships like those led by TotalEnergies are seen as vital to sustaining output and fiscal revenues.
The success of Begonia and CLOV Phase 3 could serve as a blueprint for other upstream operators seeking to optimize resource development while adhering to stricter environmental standards.
