The energy major plans to “prosecute the subsurface aggressively,” according to Alioune Sourang, Managing Director of Shell Angola, who said during a fireside chat at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference that Angola’s combination of geological potential and improved investment conditions had driven the company’s return.

The commitment comes as Shell expands its offshore position through three agreements signed at AOG 2026. These include a Risk Service Agreement alongside Equinor and Sonangol E&P covering deepwater Blocks 19, 34 and 35; a Risk Service Contract with Chevron and Sonangol for Block 33/24; and Heads of Terms with QatarEnergy and Sonangol covering Blocks 8 and 22.

“There is a lot of interest in the Atlantic margin and Angola stands out,” Sourang said. “The geology demonstrates a proven history of production with proven hydrocarbon systems, but there are still a lot of resources left to discover.”

Shell’s renewed Angola strategy places exploration at the center of its long-term presence. With new acreage secured, Sourang said the priority is now to evaluate the subsurface and convert resource potential into commercial opportunities.

“Our acreage has a lot of opportunity, but the real work starts now,” he said. “Exploration is the lifeblood of upstream. Without exploration, you don’t have a long-term business.”

Shell’s return has been driven by more than Angola’s geology. Sourang pointed to regulatory and fiscal reforms implemented by the National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels and the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, as well as stronger collaboration between government, operators and the domestic supply chain.

“What is attractive about Angola is that it has a beautiful combination of below-ground potential and above-ground competitiveness,” he said, adding that “Capital moves with confidence. It’s important to have stability long-term as this creates predictability, and it’s clear that Angola has all of these.”

According to Sourang, local content will form an integral part of Shell’s exploration strategy. He said the company’s current team on the ground is entirely Angolan and that its approach will extend beyond meeting statutory requirements toward building domestic capabilities.

“As a bare minimum, we will comply with the law, but more importantly, we will focus on capacity building,” he said.

That approach also extends to supporting indigenous operators. Sourang highlighted Shell’s recent work with Etu Energias to support the Angolan company’s growth and increased participation in the upstream sector, describing operator development as another avenue through which international companies can contribute to local content.

While acknowledging that exploration carries inherent risk and not every campaign will result in commercial development, Sourang said new exploration still generates geological knowledge and value for both Shell and Angola.

“We will continue to be disciplined, plan carefully and prosecute the subsurface aggressively,” he said. “We want to turn the great potential that exists into reality. We have been given opportunity and now it is the time to turn it into action.”