Shell Plans to Commence Drilling in Three Offshore Blocks in Angola by End-2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Shell plans to advance drilling in three offshore blocks in Angola—Block 19, Block 34, and Block 35—by the end of 2027. Eugene Okpere, Executive Vice President of Exploration, Strategy and Portfolio at Shell, stated during Angola Oil & Gas 2026 that since the company returned to Angola in 2025, it has completed the formation of its local business team and continues to evaluate seismic data and screen potential drilling targets. The related exploration work is now approaching the drilling stage.

On September 9, Shell, Equinor, and Sonangol E&P signed Risk Service Contracts (RSCs) with the Angola National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) for the three blocks. The contracts cover Block 19, Block 34, and Block 35, establishing a contractual framework for the next phase of technical and commercial evaluation of the three exploration opportunities. Shell's participating entity in the contracts is BG International Limited – Sucursal em Angola. Subject to obtaining relevant approvals and finalizing contractual arrangements, Shell intends to serve as the operator of the contractor group.

The three blocks had previously entered a joint technical study phase. According to ANPG data, Shell initially conducted oil and gas potential studies with the Angolan side on Blocks 19, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, as well as the western and southern ultra-deepwater areas of Blocks 49 and 50. In May 2025, ANPG, through a supplementary agreement to a memorandum of understanding, added Equinor and Sonangol E&P to the relevant research cooperation. The Risk Service Contracts further narrow the scope of cooperation to Blocks 19, 34, and 35.

The three blocks remain in the pre-drilling technical and commercial evaluation stage. Shell's September 9 announcement explicitly stated that the Risk Service Contracts themselves do not constitute a commitment to drill, invest, or proceed with subsequent development. Future drilling activities remain subject to the results of technical and commercial evaluation, consensus among partners, and subsequent contractual and regulatory approvals. The target timeline disclosed by Eugene Okpere further points the potential drilling window to before the end of 2027.

Shell's current exploration strategy focuses on deepwater oil and gas assets, using exploration projects to supplement future liquid production and natural gas supply. According to the company's public information, its upstream exploration continues to focus on basins where it has deepwater technical advantages and existing regional experience. The three blocks in Angola have become part of the first batch of key exploration assets since Shell's return to Angola.