Alfort Sharpens Focus on KON 8

After securing operatorship of KON 8 in 2015 and signing a Production Sharing Contract in 2022, Alfort embarked on an extensive analysis of the available data packages, with the aim of identifying targets for a future drilling program. In an exclusive interview ahead of AOG 2026, Alfort Petroleum’s General Manager Gianni Martins explained that they did not undertake a wide seismic program, but rather, focused on specific targets believed to be prolific.  

“We have a very good idea of the size of our targets. There's a big difference between what we know and what we can prove. So that's why we're very excited about the actual results from interpretation. We have done peer reviews. We've done all of our homework, prior to the exploration route. So, we're quite excited,” he said.

The company is currently preparing to submit a detailed well proposal to Angola’s upstream regulator the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG), following which a tender will be launched for drilling services and the rig. Martins highlighted that with the ongoing Gulf war impacting market prices - both crude and services - they are hoping to lock in the requisite services as soon as possible.

“Our concern is that very soon, if we don't lock up the services, it might start affecting costs. But the tender is about to go out this month. Assuming that all the approvals go according to plan, we could potentially drill in Q3 this year,” he said.

Why the KON 8 Matters for Angola’s Onshore Revival

If successful, the development of Block KON 8 could mark the start of the Kwanza Basin’s revival story. While production shifted offshore in the late 1990s, efforts to revitalize onshore margins are underway. More acreage is set to become available - and a potential KON 8 discovery could become the launchpad the Kwanza Basin needs.

“The ANPG, I believe, is launching a bid for other concessions - Block KON 5 being one of them. Now that we're getting ready to drill our exploration, we feel that we are in a good position to perhaps operate KON 5 as well. While it is not in our hands for the time being, we are going to bid for it,” Martins said, adding that the company will also bid for other on- and offshore concessions as well as pursue expansion into neighboring countries.

Several challenges remain across the onshore market, most notably, infrastructure. Martins explained that, “ what we are seeing right now, is that if we make a discovery, it will still take us some time to build the infrastructure to export. In our case, we have started studying multiple development alternatives, but we are still at very early stage.”

AOG 2026: A Platform to Tell the Kwanza Story

As Alfort moves from seismic interpretation to drilling, platforms such as AOG 2026 become increasingly vital. As a sponsor, Martins shared that the company will use the event to offer an update on its KON 8 exploration activities.

“By the event, we might have some results from our drilling campaign. Even if we're not done, we would be able to confirm what we already see on seismic, and perhaps be able to share a little bit more of our excitement from our concession and ultimately be able to attract more investment into the country,” he said.

Angola’s premier oil and gas event, AOG 2026 unites global investors with Angolan projects, while fostering collaboration among operators, service providers and communities. Martins explained that, “for a small company like ours, being able to be among peers, to leverage these interactions and to know what's happening in our energy sector is important.”

In his view, AOG gives investors a direct window into Angola’s operating environment and helps reduce perceived risk for newcomers. His message to the market is direct: “Whoever is thinking about investing in Angola, now is the time.

Watch Full Interview Here.