The move comes as Shell expands its position in the country’s upstream sector following a strategic farm-in agreement with Chevron in early 2026 for Blocks 49 and 50 – situated in the ultra-deepwaters of the Lower Congo Basin - and an exploration deal in November 2025 for Blocks 19, 34 and 39 – situated in the deepwater Kwanza Basin.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Alioune Sourang, Managing Director of Shell Angola, said the combination of proven geology, advances in exploration technology and improvements to Angola’s investment environment underpin the company’s confidence in the market.

“The reality is that Angola is a proven hydrocarbon basin with a long history of production, and that bodes well in terms of creating the runway and running room for longevity for future developments,” Sourang said.

Technology is strengthening that proposition. Advances in subsurface imaging and data processing are enabling operators to better characterize reservoirs and make more informed exploration decisions – capabilities Shell has already deployed across other Atlantic Margin basins. However, Sourang emphasized that geology alone is not sufficient to attract long-term investment.

“You need the attractiveness above ground as well,” he said, highlighting regulatory reforms introduced by Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas and upstream regulator the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency. Improvements to fiscal terms, licensing processes and engagement between government and operators have strengthened the competitiveness of the sector, he explained.

Angola’s established oil and gas industry provides another advantage as Shell assesses its next steps. Existing infrastructure, supply chains and an experienced workforce could support more efficient future development.

“Between above ground and below ground, we do think that Angola has a lot of potential,” Sourang said.

Shell is currently in the evaluation phase of its Angola strategy, assessing prospectivity using existing information alongside new data acquisition. This work will help determine potential targets for future exploration and appraisal activity, with successful campaigns ultimately creating pathways toward investment decisions.

“We’re really trying to understand how promising the geology is, using some of the existing data but also acquiring new data,” Sourang explained. This will help Shell “determine where we would like to have an exploration and appraisal campaign,” potentially leading to future final investment decisions.

Shell’s participation at AOG 2026 will provide an opportunity to deepen this engagement with government, regulators, partners and Angola’s supply chain as the company develops its long-term position.

“It’s first and foremost a great opportunity to reaffirm our engagement to Angola and to be a long-term partner for the sector and for the government,” Sourang said.

Sourang joins the conference alongside other high-level Shell representatives, including Eugene Okpere, Executive Vice President: Exploration, Strategy & Portfolio, Integrated Gas & Upstream and Michael Collins, Senior Vice President, Wells and Geoscience Operations, West & Global Operations Excellence.

Watch the full interview here.