Angola’s National Oil Company (NOC), Sonangol, is nearing the completion of its Research and Development Center, with the construction of the training facility set to be complete by September 2023. To date, construction is 92% complete.
Located near the city of Sumbe in Cuanza Sul, the Research and Development Center will provide specialized training for the local Angolan population in key areas such as oil and gas, mineral studies, renewable energies – with a focus placed on green hydrogen technologies – and biofuels.
Initial studies that will take place during the center’s first stage include geology, geophysics, and engineering. Trained personnel will help advance seismic data acquisition and studies regarding petroleum systems, advanced recovery of hydrocarbons, as well as the management and integration of data from the NOC’s existing collection. This falls in line with efforts by Sonangol to advance hydrocarbon exploration and mitigate national production decline.
In addition to the training center, the complex will comprise laboratories, storage facilities, a conference room, and an administrative center to support research. A high-level data center will also be constructed. Plans are also in place to construct a clinic, restaurants, a commercial bank, and other facilities to provide residential support at the complex.
