Communicator

Cabinda Refinery | Lider Magazine - Aug 14,2025

First Commercial Production Expected by Year-End 2025

CABINDA, Angola - September 1, 2025 - His Excellency President João Lourenço officially inaugurated the Cabinda Oil Refinery on Monday, September 1, 2025, marking a historic milestone as Angola's first refinery constructed since independence in 1975.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Malembo Plain facility in Cabinda Province, was attended by senior government officials including Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo and Cabinda Governor Suzana Fernanda de Abreu.

Strategic Significance and Production Timeline

Minister Diamantino Azevedo announced during the ceremony that "by the end of the year, Angola will have the first commercial derivatives produced at this unit," confirming that while the refinery has been inaugurated, commercial operations will commence in Q4 2025.

The $550 million facility represents a transformative investment in Angola's downstream energy sector, with the capacity to process 30,000 barrels per day in its initial phase. This development positions Angola to reduce its current 72% dependence on refined petroleum product imports, which cost the nation over $2 billion annually.

#angola #cabinda #malembo #crudeoil #lrefinery #refining #sonangol

The Energy Year, 17th Dec 2024

Angola’s refining sector has historically relied on imported refined petroleum products, but the country has been taking steps to reduce its dependence on imports and increase its self-sufficiency. Plans for new refinery projects and expansions to existing plants aim to increase national refining capacity by at least 360,000 bpd in the coming years.

Cabinda Refinery

• Nominal capacity: 60,000 bpd
• Type: Partial conversion/modular
• Status: Under construction
• Developers: Sonangol, Gemcorp
• Project details: Upon completion, phase one output will include a 30,000 bpd crude unit that produces naphtha, jet fuel, diesel and heavy fuel. Phase one is expected to be completed in mid-2024 with a total investment of USD 473 million.

Malongo Topping Plant

• Nominal capacity: 15,000 bpd
• Type: Topping
• Status: Operational
• Developer: Cabinda Gulf Oil Company

Soyo Refinery

• Projected nominal capacity: 150,000 bpd
• Type: Full conversion
• Status: Under development
• Developer: Quanten Consortium Angola
• Project details: As a part of Quanten Consortium’s build, own and operate contract for the facility, the company is planning construction of associated infrastructure as well as a tank farm and marine terminal. The refinery’s expected completion date is in 2025.

Luanda Refinery

• Nominal capacity: 65,000 bpd
• Type: Hydroskimming refinery
• Status: Operational
• Developer: Sonangol
• Project details: The refinery has undergone modernisation and capacity expansion works. A new platforming unit was inaugurated in July 2022 and petrol production capacity was expanded to 450,000 tpy at an estimated investment of USD 253 million.

Lobito Refinery

• Nominal capacity: 200,000 bpd
• Type: Full conversion
• Status: Under construction
• Developer: Sonangol, KBR
• Project details: The refinery is expected to increase Angola’s fuel products production capabilities by 200% upon completion. FEED works were completed in 2023 and the facility is slated for completion in 2027.

#sonangol #sonaref #lobito #luanda #soyo #malongo #cabinda #Refinery #angola #crudeoil