ExxonMobil Awards Major Subsea Contract to Boost Production and Extend Life of Angola’s Block 15 Oil Field
Angola’s Block 15, one of the country’s largest offshore oil-producing assets, is entering a new phase of redevelopment as ExxonMobil moves to extend the field’s operational lifespan and sustain production levels.
The U.S. energy company has awarded an engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract to the Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA) for the Redevelopment 2.0 Likembe project.
The contract, announced by Subsea7 on April 30, focuses on restoring and increasing production from the mature offshore field.
SIA, a partnership between SLB OneSubsea and Subsea7, will carry out subsea tie-back work connecting new developments to existing Block 15 infrastructure. The contract is valued at between $150 million and $300 million.
By leveraging current facilities, ExxonMobil aims to increase output while avoiding the higher costs associated with building new offshore platforms.
Subsea7 will oversee project execution through its offices in Paris, Luanda, Lisbon, and Sutton, while SLB OneSubsea will manufacture subsea control systems and smart cables in Norway to support seabed operations.
The companies said the project builds on extensive offshore experience across West Africa, Australia, and the United States, while also supporting local skills development and maintaining strong safety standards in Angola.
ExxonMobil has operated Block 15 since acquiring the license in 1994. The block remains one of Angola’s most valuable offshore assets, containing 19 commercial discoveries and an estimated 3 billion barrels of recoverable resources.
Since production began in 2003, the block has produced approximately 2.5 billion barrels of oil.
At its peak, Block 15 produced more than 600,000 barrels per day through four floating production units: Kizomba A, Kizomba B, Mondo, and Saxi-Batuque.
In November 2025, ExxonMobil secured an extension of its operating license for Block 15 through 2037 following negotiations with Angolan authorities.
The investment comes as Angola seeks to slow a long-term decline in oil production after leaving OPEC in 2023.
The government has stated its goal of maintaining national crude output above 1 million barrels per day.
