Wedoany.com Report on Mar 17th, UK-based geophysical company Metatek-Group Ltd has completed an aerial survey of Angola's Kwanza Basin, aimed at supporting onshore oil and gas exploration activities in the region. This marks the first comprehensive survey of the basin using modern technology, providing new data support for subsurface structure interpretation and optimal drilling site selection.
The survey was conducted jointly by Metatek, Angolan upstream consultancy Striped Horse, and Angola's National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG). It covered the entire Kwanza Basin, with a flight distance exceeding 36,000 kilometers. The data collected includes enhanced Full Tensor Gravity Gradiometry (eFTG), scalar gravity, magnetic, and LiDAR information.
The eFTG technology, as a high-resolution aerial gravity gradiometry method, can provide precise geological insights from shallow to deep layers. Gravity and magnetic data help improve imaging of the basin's structure, such as fault and tectonic domain analysis, while also refining the characterization of sediment thickness and the distribution of features like salt and carbonates. LiDAR data generates high-precision topographic models, aiding surface planning and environmental assessment.
In priority areas, the survey was conducted at a higher resolution. In addition to hydrocarbon resources, the data can also be used for critical mineral detection, aligning with the diversification strategy recently announced by Angola's state oil company Sonangol. The complete dataset and optional interpretation products are planned to be licensed through a multi-client model in the second quarter of 2026.
Dr. Mark Davies, CEO of Metatek, stated: "This survey represents a significant advancement in the understanding of the subsurface of the onshore Kwanza Basin. The integrated application of eFTG, gravity, magnetic, and LiDAR data builds a reliable basin framework, making exploration planning and decision-making more scientific and lower risk."
