TotalEnergies has unveiled a bold strategy to combat Angola’s natural production decline, with plans to drill one new exploration well every year while reinvesting heavily in the integrity of its mature offshore assets.
The announcement was made by Martin Deffontaines, Country Manager of TotalEnergies Angola, during a keynote interview at the ongoing Angola Oil & Gas 2025 Conference and Exhibition, where industry leaders are charting the path forward for Africa’s second-largest oil producer.
As one of Angola’s biggest oil producers, TotalEnergies has played a pivotal role in the country’s upstream sector for decades.
However, like other majors, the company is now grappling with natural declines in some of its most productive deepwater fields.
“Our main challenge is to maintain and increase production. We have some installations facing their 20-25 years of design life such as Girassol and Dalia.
“After that will be PAZFLOR and CLOV. So, keeping the integrity of our wells is the first challenge.”
Martin Deffontaines, Country Manager of TotalEnergies Angola
He added that exploration remains a critical part of the company’s plan to secure new resources and offset declines: “We are drilling one exploration well per year which will help us increase production.”
Offshore projects boost national output
TotalEnergies has been central to Angola’s recent production gains. In 2025, the company added 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the market through the Begonia oilfield and CLOV Phase 3 Development, two major offshore projects that have not only increased output but also demonstrated the potential of Angola’s mature blocks.
The Begonia development was particularly noteworthy as Angola’s first inter-block development, signaling how synergies across adjacent offshore assets can unlock new production opportunities.
Meanwhile, CLOV Phase 3 comprising four subsea wells tied back to the CLOV FPSO in Block 17 has extended the block’s productive life, with TotalEnergies and its partners securing a license extension that keeps the Dalia FPSO in operation until 2045.
“We just celebrated two projects starting [in 2025]. The first is Begonia and I was impressed by the level of commitments from all the stakeholders to get these projects done.
“Another example is Kaminho – a $6 billion project which we managed to make commercial and that’s thanks to our partners.”
Martin Deffontaines, Country Manager of TotalEnergies Angola
Looking to the future, the Kaminho deepwater project stands out as TotalEnergies’ next cornerstone development.
Having reached a final investment decision in 2024, Kaminho will be the first large deepwater project in Angola’s offshore Kwanza basin, with production scheduled to start in 2028.
The project is expected to anchor Angola’s long-term production stability while opening a new frontier for deepwater exploration and development.
Investing in people and local content
Beyond drilling and production, TotalEnergies is also channeling resources into human capital development and gender inclusion.
According to Deffontaines, Angola’s oil industry cannot afford to ignore the global energy transition, which demands innovation, new skills, and a younger workforce.
To this end, the company has launched youth and women empowerment programs designed to equip Angolans with technical skills.
“We currently have 30 youth in Angola that we are helping. It is their first professional experience.
“This is a strong program dedicated to women. We have our first women field manager on PAZFLOR.”
Martin Deffontaines, Country Manager of TotalEnergies Angola
These initiatives reflect TotalEnergies’ broader mission of embedding local content development at the heart of its Angolan operations, ensuring that the country’s oil wealth translates into tangible opportunities for its citizens.
As Angola marks 50 years of independence, TotalEnergies’ commitments underscore the enduring partnership between the company and the nation.
With a strategy that balances reinvestment in legacy assets, bold exploration targets, and human capital development, the company is positioning itself not only as a key oil producer but also as a catalyst for Angola’s long-term energy transformation.
By drilling one exploration well annually, advancing flagship projects like Kaminho, and championing local talent, TotalEnergies is making clear that its future and Angola’s remain closely intertwined.
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