H.E. President Lourenço Delivers Opening Address
The third edition of AOG was officially kicked off with an opening address from the conference’s Guest of Honor, H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola.
“It was with great satisfaction that I accepted the invitation to hold and open this event. Please allow me to greet everyone present at this ceremony, and congratulate the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, as well as Energy Capital & Power for organizing the third edition of Angola Oil & Gas 2022, which takes place under the theme ‘Promoting an inclusive, attractive and innovative oil and gas industry in Angola,” stated H.E. President Lourenço, adding that, “Angola has always aspired to become a leading supplier of oil and gas to the global market, while striving towards alleviating energy poverty in Africa. In this regard, efforts are being made primarily for the growth of oil and gas activity in tandem with the development of existing resources. The Angolan government has defined and already implemented a program of improvement and distribution that will increase oil storage capacity throughout all capital and regional municipalities throughout the country.”
Africa’s Leading Oil Producers Ink Three Cooperation Agreements
Several intra-African deal signings took place on the first day of AOG 2022, including respective Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Namibia and Angola; Equatorial Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Angola and Sierra Leone. The agreements largely served to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of oil and natural gas through the exchange of knowledge and best practices, skills transfer and the development of joint projects. The MoU signed between Equatorial Guinea and the DRC specifically provided for the joint financing and construction of an oil refinery and storage facilities located in the Congo, with a view to meeting regional demand for refined petroleum products.
Ministerial Panel Kicks Off Discussions
Exploring the topic “The Right and Will to Develop: How to Harness the Resources of Angola and the Region for an Energy-Rich Future,” a high-level panel of Africa’s leading energy Ministers united on the first day of AOG 2022.
Speakers included H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); H.E. Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Angola; H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea; H.E. Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); Hon. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia; Foday Mansaray, Director General, Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone; and H.E. Cheikh Niane, Vice President of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energies, Senegal. The session was moderated by NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
Discussions spanned from the agenda for the upcoming OPEC meeting from H.E. Al Ghais, to insights into Angola’s current priorities from H.E. Minister Azevedo, to the advantages of intra-African energy cooperation from DG Mansaray to key outcomes of the recent COP27 for African producers.
AOG 2022 Awards Winners Announced
Winners of the esteemed AOG 2022 were announced during a Gala Dinner on the first day of the event.
Game Changer of the Year Award: Azule Energy
Azule Energy won this high-level award in recognition of the ongoing commitment by the company to drive exploration and production in a sustainable and mutually beneficial manner.
Explorer of the Year Award: ExxonMobil Angola
With the need to scale up exploration representing an overarching objective worldwide, ExxonMobil Angola, due to the company’s ongoing exploration drive and steadfast commitment to unlocking the full potential of Angola’s upstream sector, was selected as the winner of the Explorer of the Year Award at AOG 2022.
Local Company of the Year Award: SOMOIL
Bestowed upon the most promising Angolan company whose support and development of the local workforce and whose local E&P efforts continue to ensure the sector’s vitality and longevity, SOMOIL won the high-level Local Company of the Year Award at AOG 2022.
Equinor Hosts Women in Energy Luncheon
High-level stakeholders in Angola’s oil and gas industry united on the second day of AOG 2022 for a Women in Energy luncheon, sponsored by Norwegian multinational Equinor and attended by HE Minister Azevedo; Sebastião Gaspar Martins, Chairman of the Board of Sonangol; Ane Aubert, Managing Director of Equinor and Melissa Bond, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Angola.
The event served to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in the sector, as well as highlight the contributions Equinor has made to female participation, capacity building and advancement in Angola’s oil and gas industry. Gender equality, diversity and inclusion were key focal points at AOG 2022, with a dedicated Women in Energy panel unpacking the challenges and opportunities behind female empowerment within the industry earlier that day.
