Chevron produced its initial oil at its South N’dola offshore platform in Angola, a major step reached slightly more than two years after construction commenced.

The platform sits in Block 0, an offshore producing area that accounts for about 12% of Angola’s daily energy output.

Development of South N’dola was supported by using available capacity in existing infrastructure, an approach described as aiming for efficiency and lower cost.

The platform relies on a field-to-production-facility tieback to the nearby Mafumeira facility, where output is processed before being sent to a terminal for export.

This method removes the requirement for distinct oil and gas processing units at South N’dola.

Chevron offshore business president Brent Gros said: “Underpinned by the prolific Block 0, safely achieving first oil at South N’dola is the latest example of Chevron’s efforts to maximise production from our existing offshore assets in Angola.”

Chevron claims that it has maintained operations in Angola for over 70 years.

The company runs two offshore zones, Block 0 and the deepwater Block 14, via Cabinda Gulf Oil, its fully owned subsidiary.

During its construction phase, South N’dola was projected to generate over 800 local jobs.

Now in operation, it provides oil and gas to facilities in Angola.

Gros added: “Chevron and the Angolan government have worked together for more than 70 years to develop the nation’s thriving energy industry—a fantastic example of how people and partnerships power progress.”

Earlier in September, Chevron, in partnership with Helleniq Energy, submitted a bid for natural gas exploration in four offshore blocks in Greece.