This very topic will be at the center of discussions during the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition - taking place September 9-10 with a pre-conference day scheduled for September 8. A panel discussion on Decommissioning Frameworks for Aging Assets in Angola will explore the strategies, financing mechanisms and technical capabilities the country needs to decommission infrastructure responsibly, efficiently and on its own terms.

Today, Angola maintains production at around 1.1 million barrels per day, with the majority of output originating from offshore assets. Several of the country's pioneering deepwater developments – including TotalEnergies' Girassol at Block 17 and ExxonMobil’s Kizomba at Block 15 – have been producing for more than 20 years, highlighting the growing importance of lifecycle planning across the sector. Both TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil have recently extended the Block 15 and 17 licenses, reflecting a commitment to long-term production optimization.   

However, as fields mature, operators must balance production optimization with preparations for eventual asset retirement. Industry estimates indicate that Angola’s mature fields could experience natural decline rates of 10-15% annually without intervention, placing greater emphasis on strategies that maximize remaining value while establishing clear pathways for future decommissioning.

Against this backdrop, Angola is increasingly focused on developing the regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms and technical capabilities required to manage end-of-life offshore assets. The opportunity extends beyond environmental stewardship and operational safety. A well-developed decommissioning sector could create new opportunities for local service companies, engineering firms and specialized contractors while positioning Angola as a regional hub for offshore asset retirement services.

These themes will be examined during the AOG 2026 decommissioning panel discussion. Bringing together regulators, operators, service providers and industry experts, the session will examine the legal, financial and technical frameworks needed to responsibly manage the retirement of offshore infrastructure while maximizing value from mature assets.

Topics will include regulatory requirements, decommissioning funding mechanisms, environmental considerations, local content opportunities and the development of domestic technical capabilities that can support Angola's long-term offshore strategy.