From major gas and offshore developments to Angolan-led exploration, industrial capacity and local supplier development, the 2026 winners reflected the breadth of investment underway across the country’s oil and gas value chain.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Aníbal Octávio Teixeira da Silva

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Aníbal Octávio Teixeira da Silva for his contributions to Angola’s oil and gas transformation over the past three decades. As Vice Minister of Petroleum in 2003 – reappointed in 2008 – he led the country through a period of significant growth, championing licensing, investment and the Angolanization initiative while strengthening Angola’s international standing. He also supported the development of major oilfields, including Dalia, Greater Plutonio and Pazflor, while facilitating the launch of projects such as Angola LNG.

Game Changer of the Year: Azule Energy

Azule Energy secured the Game Changer of the Year award following two major project milestones. The company achieved first gas from Angola’s first non-associated gas development, opening a new chapter for LNG supply and domestic gas utilization, while reaching FID on the $5.1 billion Greater PAJ project, Angola’s first integrated cross-block offshore oil development.

Explorer of the Year: Sonangol

National oil company Sonangol was named Explorer of the Year following the successful appraisal of the Katambi-2 well in Block 24 in the Benguela Basin. The campaign delivered Angola’s first full drill stem test on a non-associated gas reservoir, strengthening the case for a potentially significant new gas development and highlighting the growing role of exploration in expanding Angola’s gas resource base.

Local Company of the Year: Etu Energias

Etu Energias received the Local Company of the Year award following another year of Angolan-led upstream expansion. At Block 2/05, the company’s Espadarte 7ST2 appraisal encountered eight productive intervals and delivered rates of 2,500 barrels per day. Combined with its new interests in Blocks 14 and 14K, the milestones are expanding Etu Energias’ production base and strengthening indigenous participation in Angola’s upstream sector.

CSR Initiative of the Year: Block 17 Partners

Angola’s Block 17 Partners – led by TotalEnergies alongside ExxonMobil, Equinor, Azule Energy and Sonangol – won the CSR Initiative of the Year for advancing the MUNGU Program. Focused on technical capacity building, business mentorship and SME development, the program is strengthening the competitiveness of Angolan suppliers and supporting greater national participation across the oil and gas value chain.

National Service Company of the Year: Petromar

Petromar – the joint venture between Sonangol and Saipem – was named National Service Company of the Year for its contribution to the landmark Kaminho development. The company completed protective structures for the Kaminho FPSO, placing Angolan industrial capability at the center of one of the country’s biggest upcoming deepwater projects and demonstrating the growing technical capacity of the domestic services sector.

Downstream Player of the Year: Cabinda Refinery

The Cabinda Refinery secured the Downstream Player of the Year award following the start of commercial operations in 2026. As Angola’s first refinery built in the post-independence era, the facility represents a major step in the country’s drive to expand domestic processing capacity, reduce dependence on imported refined products and establish a more integrated downstream industry.