ISSUE 4 WINTER 2004 universoSONANGOL ANGOLA | OIL | BUSINESS | CULTURE

THETHE FUTUREFUTURE STARTSSTARTS HEREHERE ImplementingImplementing Sonangol’sSonangol’s corporatecorporate restructuringrestructuring programmeprogramme HARNESSINGHARNESSING ANGOLA’SANGOLA’S DEEPSDEEPS thethe world’sworld’s largestlargest FPSOFPSO comescomes onon streamstream LANDLAND OFOF PROMISEPROMISE thethe richesriches andand heritageheritage ofof HuilaHuila provinceprovince

ISSUE 4 WINTER 2004 INSIDE SONANGOL S

ISSUE 4 WINTER 2004 T Focus on the Future SONANGOL lenges to come as it continues to implement the most radical universoANGOLA | OIL | BUSINESS | CULTURE corporate restructuring programme in its history, and at the 8. The Future Starts here With world oil prices hitting same time comprehensively upgrade its internal distribution net- N Major corporate reconstruction at Sonangol is creating record levels, Angola’s offshore work to cover the remotest corners of the country. Just 50 years ago, the discovery of the Benfica field heralded E fields assume even greater rele- the framework that will enable the company to operate vance – which makes the the birth of Angola’s offshore oil industry. Ever since, the world’s

T successfully and transparently in the global market. commissioning of the giant major oil companies – notably ChevronTexaco – have played Kizomba A FPSO especially timely. their part in its development. When production came on stream But oil is only one of Angola’s riches: diamonds, minerals N in August, Universo paid a visit to and agricultural produce also offer promising opportunities. And this floating city, to discover its for the visitor, there is also much on offer, such as the superb complexity and meet the workforce horizons of Huila province and Angola’s youthful music scene, O 12. Harnessing – many of whom are Angolan nationals. bursting with talent. Indeed, talented Angolans are coming home in a big way, For Universo too, this is a significant moment. As we com-

C Angola’s Deeps returning from distant parts and from neighbouring countries plete our first year, we will continue to focus on the dedication Half a world away from “the whence they had fled during the hostilities. Some bring skills of Angolans who are rebuilding our country, and to record the city that never sleeps”, the and experience, while many others benefit from home-grown ground-breaking initiatives being pioneered offshore. training schemes, especially innovative ventures such as those So, as we look forward to the New Year, welcome to our massive heart of the newly created by Sonangol. world! commissioned FPSO at the Angola’s national oil company is also preparing for chal- ––The Editor Kizomba A oil field was instantly dubbed Broadway by its enthusiastic crew. INSIDE ANGOLA 46. Talent Waiting Sonangol in the Wings Rua 1° Congresso do MPLA, 34. Land of Promise 22. What’s NexT? Forced to leave during the N.º 8-16 Minerals, rich agricultural land, Caixa Postal 1316, Luanda Sonangol is developing its young professionals with a years of conflict, many young República de Angola raft of innovative courses, enabling them to identify breathtaking scenery and a timeless Tel: +244 2 391 182 Angolans who honed their Fax: +244 2 391 782 their training needs in relation to skills and career heritage hold the prospect of a future J O talents abroad are returning S

Telex: 2089 SONANG AN E

that the two million people of Huila S I aspirations. L [email protected] V A to help rebuild their country.

P I

province are eager to embrace. N T Sonangol USA (Sonusa) O 1177 Enclave Parkway Second Floor 18. Fuelling the Houston,TX 77077 40. Cool Rhythms USA Economy Tel: +1 281 920 7600 Driven by growing demand, Steeped in themes that played an inspirational role in the Fax: +1 281 920 7666 struggle for freedom, Angola’s contemporary music scene [email protected] Sonangol’s distribution sub- bursts with new talent that is creating infectious rhythms. Sonangol UK sidiary is adept at deploying its Merevale House resources and experience to Brompton Place London SW3 1QE provide round-the-clock deliver- United Kingdom ies throughout the country. Tel: +44 207 838 4600 Fax: +44 207 589 9454 Telex: 893212 SONANG 50. Homeward Bound Sonangol Asia Angolans return to their towns and 3 Temasek Avenue villages, from neighbouring countries. 31-04 Centennial Tower Singapore 039190 Tel: : +65 64 16 3583 Sonangol Department for Communication & Image –– Director: João Rosa Santos; Public & Press Relation Assistant: Cristina de Novaes Fax: +65 64 16 3582 28. Fifty Years On Fifty years after ChevronTexaco began exploration in This magazine is produced for Sonangol by Impact Media Global Ltd, 66 Chiltern Street, London W1U 4JT, UK, Tel: +44 20 7034 1300 ~ Fax: +44 20 7935 5777 Publisher: John Charles Gasser; Vice President: Sheila O’Callaghan; Editorial Director: Christophe Illemassene; Editor: Peter Moeller; Angola, it is still the country’s largest producer and is Art Director: Lisa Pampillonia; Advertising Design: Bernd Wojtczack; Circulation Manager: Tony Adkins; Contributors: Helen Campbell, Sue Branford; Nick Terdre heading for a thriving future, having recently renewed its Cover: Laurent Zylberman/Graphix Images Block 0 concession for a further 20 years. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical without prior permission in writing from the publishers. SONANGOL [email protected]

4 SONANGOL UNIVERSO NEWS IN BRIEF

Total in the Pink Malongo expansion terminal Vetco’s forest of trees

Total is set to ramp up production from Angola’s deepwater Block The expansion and Cabgoc has also awarded a 17 from the first half of 2007 when it brings its Rosa oilfield modernisation of the US$125 million contract to Houston- onstream. The company received the green light from Sonangol in Malongo oil storage plant based oil services company Vetco August to launch the development of the field, located 135 kms in Cabinda is underway, Gray for the manufacture and installa- from the shore in water depths of between 1,300 and 1,500 following the award of a tion of subsea equipment for the metres. The development will be tied back to the Girassol floating contract by the Cabinda Lobito/Tomboco project on Block 14. production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility and will require Gulf Oil Co (Cabgoc). The three-year deal calls for the sup- 25 subsea wells. Total says modifications to the facility, anchored South African construc- ply of 22 subsea horizontal trees, six 15 kms away, will mean that annual production will increase to tion firm Group Five and manifolds and the project’s fully-inte- 250,000 barrels per day. The Rosa development follows Jasmim, Chicago Bridge and Iron grated subsea and surface control which was tied back to the Girassol FPSO late in 2003. Rosa, one (CBI) Constructors have secured a US$30 million deal to systems. The deal also includes servic- of 15 discoveries on Block 17, was found in 1998. update the plant — operated by Cabgoc’s parent com- es, spares and options for additional pany ChevronTexaco — as part of the Malongo Greater trees and manifolds. Vetco’s facilities in Tukula Area Expansion project. Cabinda is the main Malongo and Luanda will contribute source of Angola’s oil revenues, and increased offshore drilling, such as on the Sarnia field, has led to higher to the project, alongside its sites in throughput at the Malongo terminal, located some 400 Scotland, England and Norway. This Roc’s on a roll in Cabinda Leiv Eriksson well away kms north of Luanda. Group Five and CBI started work on latest contract builds on Vetco’s long the expansion in June and expect to complete the con- involvement in West Africa’s oil busi- The Cabinda South block is short- tract by the end of August 2005, on which 250 Angolans ness, which includes supplying Cabgoc ly to be drilled following 32 years of and South Africans will be employed. and Sonangol for 35 years. inactivity. Australia’s Roc Oil expects to commence exploration of the onshore block in early 2005. Senior figures from the company met with Sonangol and other government offi- All aboard for Block 18 cials in mid-August and the BP Angola has selected the semi-submersible rig Sedco Express, Sydney-based company later said it owned and operated by Transocean Inc., to provide drilling services anticipates being in a position to trig- on the Greater Plutonio project. The Sedco Express will start opera- ger its production-sharing agreement tions in the second quarter of 2005 on a three year contract. The (PSA) on the block within two Ocean Rig’s Leiv Eiriksson deepwa- project to develop six fields – Galio, Cromio, Paladio, Plutonio, months, assuming the receipt of the ter drilling rig has secured a new Cobalto and Platina – will be the first development in Block 18. The necessary government approvals. In a contract — worth up to US$59 million fields are located in water depths of 1,300 to 1,600 metres. The separate but related move, the com- — offshore Angola. The Norwegian rig Sedco Express is currently working offshore Brazil and will undergo pany has also agreed to acquire an operator said in September that BP’s certain modifications in January 2005 in preparation for operations on additional 20 per cent interest in the Angola Business Unit had awarded it a Greater Plutonio. The rig operator said the Greater Plutonio contract PSA from block partner Force letter of intent for two wells, to be fol- was worth approximately US$181million. Petroleum, taking Roc’s stake up to 80 lowed by two optional wells, on Block per cent. Sonangol holds the remaining 31. The two firm wells are expected to 20 per cent interest. Roc bought into take around 150 days to drill, with the Block 10 back on course the Cabinda South block in 2001, two optional wells a further 130 days. when it acquired a share from Total. The Leiv Eiriksson has been drilling over Industry sources are reported as saying that drilling on Angola’s offshore Block 10 is expected The block covers 1,070 sq kms and, the summer on Block 33 for to start later this year, as partners continue to try to resolve participation agreement issues. says Roc Oil, could hold structures ExxonMobil, with whom BP has a rig- Exploration activities should have begun in the first half of 2004 but problems with contractual doc- containing up to 128 million barrels of sharing agreement. This latest contract uments held up proceedings. The Block 10 partners, which include operator Ocean Angola Corp — oil, although 3D seismic could poten- commenced on schedule at the begin- a subsidiary of Devon Energy of the US — and Sonangol, are hopeful that an area on the block tially yield larger reserves. ning of October. identified as Ngueve-1 will prove fruitful.

6 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 7 RESTRU CTURING e h Futuret Starts Here

Major corporate “We are completely restructuring Sonangol,” revealed a jovial Manuel Vicente, Sonangol’s chief executive officer, reconstruction at giving his last interview before taking his annual leave in August. “We began the process in 1998. The dynamics of Sonangol is creating running a modern oil company encourage us to do this. We have to have a modern, efficient, transparent structure the framework that to compete successfully on the world market. These are changes that are good for Sonangol and good for Angola.” will enable the The most important step so far has been to start giving operational independence to the various constituent parts company to operate of the company. In an important development, Sonangol, the oil company, is now run completely independently successfully and from Sonangol, the concessionaire – the body that awards licences. “There is a clear conflict of interest between the transparently in the two roles,” Vicente explains, leaning forward animatedly in his leather armchair. “Sonangol, the oil company, is award- global market. ed licences by the concessionaire, so it should not also be the concessionaire. That is evident. It is why we have opted for a clear separation of the two functions.” Vicente believes that eventually the Angolan government will decide to take the conces- sionaire role away from Sonangol, which is something he would welcome. “The day the government tells us to hand over this function to another body, we’ll gladly do it. Indeed, we’re ready for it. But – and this is very important – we must hand over to qualified people. If not, it will be a step backwards for the whole industry.” However, the restructuring that Vicente is undertaking goes far beyond separating func- tions where there is a conflict of interest. “Eventually, we will have Sonangol Holding, which will be a finance house and nothing else. All the other activities, including exploration and production, will be carried out by independent subsidiaries. They will present a budget to the “We have to have a holding company. If the holding company approves this budget, then it will give them the modern, efficient, resources to do the job.” At the end of the financial year, the subsidiaries will have to present results to the holding transparent structure to company. “It will be just as if the subsidiaries had borrowed money from a bank,” explains compete successfully Vicente. “They will have to explain how they have spent the resources and what they have achieved through this expenditure. Everything will be clear-cut and transparent.” on the world market. These Sonangol has also decided to concentrate on its core oil and gas operations and to pull are changes that are good out of other peripheral activities. “During the chaotic years of the war, Sonangol was called upon to carry out all kinds of activities that were not connected with the oil and gas busi- for Sonangol and good ness,” says director of finance, Francisco de Lemos José Maria. “There was no-one else the for Angola.” government could turn to. So we have investments in telecommunications, tourism, trans- Manuel Vicente, B R

I port and so on. We even have a food store. Now the war is over, it doesn’t make sense to CEO, Sonangol A N

S T

A remain active in these areas.” U F F E R

WINTER 2004 9 “Both the structure and the commercial terms [of Sonangol’s largest ever oil backed financing the government for reconstruction. We the commercial terms of this transaction good enough, we intend to issue bonds in transaction] demonstrate the increasing sophistication of banks lending to Angola, as well as the have had to do this because the govern- demonstrate the increasing sophistication the US market next year. This time the ment has been unable to reach agreement of banks lending to Angola, as well as the increasing respect with which Sonangol is now regarded in the international lending community. deal will provide resources for our own ” with the International Monetary Fund. It increasing respect with which Sonangol is investments.” has carried out a lot of reforms but so far now regarded in the international lending Sonangol has ambitious plans. “We Cynthia Witcombe, international law firm, Norton Rose the IMF is still not satisfied. Without an community.” expect to invest US$8 billion over the next IMF deal, the government’s only way of Now Sonangol would like to raise six years,” says Lemos. “Most of this – raising money has been through money to finance its own oil-related Sonangol owns – or has a share in – some our core activities, including Sonangol P&P Sonangol.” investment. “We have signed an engage- about US$6 billion – will go in upstream 30 companies. Before it can sell off or close (Exploration & Production),” says Vicente. Cynthia Witcombe, from the interna- ment letter with JP Morgan,” says Lemos. developments, while US$1 billion will be down some of those companies, it will need “They will still be subsidiaries and report to tional law firm Norton Rose, which led the “We are working with them to obtain a invested in natural gas, and a similar approval from the government, as the com- Sonangol Holding, but they will be a mix of deal, commented: “Both the structure and rating from the agencies. If that rating is amount in refining.” ❖ panies are public assets. “Then we will sell off private and public capital. This will not hap- these assets,” says Lemos. “We will make the pen soon because we need to create the right process as transparent as possible. If Luanda environment for that. But that is our long- had a stock market, we’d do it publicly on the term intention.” KPMG REPORT term to hand over this task to another Even so, KPMG stands by its recom- stock market. But Luanda doesn’t yet have a branch of the government. But the mendations, if in a less emphatic way: stock market and we don’t want to wait until longside this wholesale restructuring of Angolan government must have time to “However, the Consultants believe that it does. So we will have to do it by contacting the group’s economic activities, Partly in response to a flurry of interna- prepare. We must have well-prepared, the emerging period of stability in Angola people in the business.” ASonangol has been streamlining its tional criticism of the lack of technical people carrying out this role.” does represent a unique opportunity for “Sonangol defines the core activities to financial operations. In the past, the compa- transparency of its oil sector, in 2002 the At present, there is a huge gap change within the country. We would be retained as those that are essential for the ny was required by law to make oil revenue Angolan government commissioned a between the salaries paid by the Angolan emphasise that, if the key recommenda- oil and gas business and require some spe- payments to the Banco Nacional de Angola report from the international accounting government to its civil servants and those tions arising from the analysis we have cialist knowledge,” explains Lemos. “For (BNA), Angola’s central bank. “Because of the firm, KPMG. According to the government, paid by oil companies to their top man- undertaken are accepted in principle, it instance, we will continue to transport oil delays on the payments in local currency the aim of the report was to gain assis- agers. “If we simply hand over the would make the start of a process (these and gas, because that is an activity that from BNA and other problems, we used not tance in its efforts “to increase concessionaire function to the oil Ministry, words underlined in the original docu- requires specialist knowledge, but we will sell to get full approval from our accountants and transparency in the flows of revenues from as the report suggests, we’ll be creating ment) towards implementation.” off our subsidiary that transports people. this caused problems for us,” explains Lemos. oil production and to build managerial real problems for ourselves. We’ll be That is a job for a transport company.” However, in February 2001 Sonangol Vicente is also is critical of another capacity for monitoring and forecasting the heading back to the bad old days, facing Perhaps surprisingly, Sonangol may sell obtained permission from the government to suggestion – that a special body, the amounts and flows of those revenues.” problems we thought we’d sorted out off part of Sonair, its successful air transport pay its tax directly to the Ministry of Finance Petroleum Revenue Management Agency, After considerable delay, the report once and for all. We can’t hand over to company. “We will keep the helicopter sec- and to make a series of other changes in its should be created to handle oil revenue. was finally published earlier this year. CEO another body unless that body really has tion, because taking workers out to oil rigs financial arrangements. “It’s made a big dif- “This body is not needed,” says Vicente. Vicente says that in general terms Sonangol the conditions to do the job properly.” and platforms is an essential activity, but we ference,” says Lemos. “It means that we can “We already have the treasury to do this welcomed the report. “Perhaps the most Vicente is not alone in thinking this may sell the fixed-wing section,” says Lemos. manage our revenues better and eliminate all task. If the treasury doesn’t do this task important aspect of the whole report is way. Given the strength of opinion Currently, Sonair’s Houston Express runs tax arrears.” adequately, then we should strengthen it. If that it is independent,” he says. “KPMG expressed by members of the Angolan a twice-weekly schedule flying passengers Sonangol is also improving its account- we create the precedent of setting up a and freight both to the United States and to ing systems to bring them up to international could find no evidence of the hundreds of government to its draft report, KPMG new body for oil revenues, we will end up Malabo in Equatorial Guinea. It is this section standards. “Our aim is to comply completely millions of dollars which some non-govern- decided to add an additional paragraph in having to create a new agency for every of the company that may be sold. with International Accounting Standards mental organisations claim to be missing the final version: “We have been advised new source of revenue – for diamonds, for Any investor will be allowed to bid for requirements by April 2006 – that is, for the from our accounts. We feel we’ve been by some members of the Technical gold, and so on. It doesn’t make sense.” the Sonangol subsidiaries. “If Angolan com- end-of-April 2005 accounts,” states Lemos. vindicated.” Committee (which represents the Angolan panies wish to acquire the assets, we might “We changed accountants to Ernst & Young in Vicente agrees with the general criti- government) that any potential transfer of Another tentative suggestion in the be able to provide better financial conditions 2003 and we are now getting them fully cism that there are “potentially serious the regulatory role from Sonangol Holding report is that in the name of transparency, for them, but we will not exclude foreign involved on a daily basis. We know that we conflicts of interest” between Sonangol’s to the Ministry of Petroleum could be a it should allow the oil majors to sell the companies,” points out Lemos. The compa- have to improve internal controls and proce- different functions but does not agree with disaster for the country. We fully under- country’s oil. Vicente finds this proposal nies that Sonangol retains will be run as fully dures, and our information systems. We’re some of the proposals made in the report. stand the arguments put forward by some preposterous. independent subsidiaries. The whole process putting a lot of effort into getting it right.” In particular, he does not agree with its of the Technical Committee members, that “We’ve been active in the internation- is planned to be completed by 2010. In the past, the Angolan government has suggestion that the concessionaire role the problems in Angola are unique. We al market for 20 years,” he points out. Once Sonangol has divested itself of non- used Sonangol to raise international loans. “We’ve built up a huge amount of expert- core activities, it will turn its attention to “We recently signed our largest ever oil- should be immediately handed over to the have also been reminded of the lack of ise that is bringing great benefits to Angola. another fundamental reform – the opening backed financing transaction for US$2.25 Ministry of Petroleum. skills within government ministries, and up of its remaining subsidiaries to private billion with Standard Chartered Bank,” says “I know that it is not satisfactory to that the greatest concentration of in-depth It is nonsense to suggest that we should capital. “Our intention is to allow private Lemos. “The loan was procured by Sonangol have Sonangol carrying out this function,” skills and knowledge is to be found within throw this all away and hand over our oil companies to have a share in the assets of but a large portion of the money will go to he says. “And we hope in a medium/long Sonangol Holding.” to the majors.” ❖

10 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 11 EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION

t was a milestone for the Angolan oil indus- crude. Just to imagine the volume of oil stored try when Kizomba A, the largest deepwater in the tanks gives an idea of the massive scale Half a world away Ioil development in west Africa to date, of this operation. from “the city that began operations in August 2004. With a daily Around the FPSO are other production production set to reach 250,000 barrels of facilities and ships, some impressive in their never sleeps”, the crude, drawn from high quality reservoirs own right. They are all part of the Kizomba more than 1,000 metres below the seabed, it fleet, which includes a mobile drilling rig and a massive heart of the HarnessingHarnessing has brought the Angolan industry to a new field development vessel. The Surface level of sophistication. Wellhead Platform (SWHP) is where the oil newly commissioned Kizomba A, named after a popular arrives at the sea level before being transferred Angolan dance, has the largest FPSO (Floating, by pipe to the FPSO, some 200 metres away. FPSO at the Kizomba Production, Storage and Offloading facility) in This huge structure is dominated by the the world. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries drilling derrick, one of the largest deepwater A oil field was in South Korea and towed to Angola in 2003, drilling platforms in the world. instantly dubbed its four storeys contain a seemingly endless The installation of the SWHP involved array of heavy-duty equipment, power genera- remarkable international collaboration. The Broadway by its tors, water injection pumps, computer lower hull of the tension leg platform was con- screens, safety equip- structed in Daewoo’s enthusiastic crew. ment, corridors, yard in Okpo, South stairways, and crew Korea, while the drilling accommodation. The equipment, the living complex, some 300 Republic of Congo quarters and the metres long, has 15 helideck were built in

mooring chains, which Cabinda Corpus Christi, Texas. (Angola) secure it to the sea Dem. Republic In the first quarter of floor lying more than of Congo 2003, these huge com- a 1,000 metres beneath Kizomba C ponents were towed its keel. from their very differ- Kizomba A Block On the production 15 ent geographical Angola deck, at the heart of Kizomba B locations to Rotterdam, the ship, there is a where they were remarkable avenue, assembled by Heerema some 185 metres long Fabrication, which built and 25 metres wide. the topside modules. Nicknamed Broadway The completed plat- by the crew, it would form was then towed to ✪ surely make an Luanda Angola, arriving in impressive setting for a October 2003. modern ballet. Two kilometres As Universo dis- from the FPSO lies the covered, getting to CALM buoy built by Kizomba A is an experience in itself. On Sonangol’s joint venture Sonamet, through boarding one of Sonair’s red-and-white heli- which the processed crude is transferred to copters, the safety drill is painstaking. tankers. When Kizomba A is in full operation, Departure for the oilfield, 350 kms north west almost one million barrels will be discharged AngolAngola’sa’s of Luanda, gives a fine view of the capital. every 4-5 days. Hard to miss is the striking monument to Dr. It takes more than hour to walk around Agostinho Neto, first president of independent the FPSO. One of the most impressive loca- Angola. tions is the control room which buzzes with Nothing quite prepares the visitor for the activity. Highly trained personnel supervise scale of the Kizomba A installation. When the activities in the rest of the vessel via 14 TV helicopter lands on the FPSO it is like arriving monitors. “We work around the clock,” says in a surreal, man-made world. safety officer Walt Cornelssen. “That is why DeepsDeeps The massive hull has 15 huge tanks with a there are all those notices asking you not to combined capacity of 2.2 million barrels of bang doors. There are always people sleeping.”

12 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 13 “The drilling has been pretty successful. Since 1994, we’ve made around 16 or 17 discoveries in Block 15, which is very high for an exploration period.” Afonso N’zoanene, Sonangol concession administrator, Block 15

we have monopolised the Sonair facilities as diesel to fuel its three large turbines. Some well as the service vessel fleet gives an idea of impressive juggling is needed when the FPSO the size and complexity of this undertaking, is simultaneously off-loading crude to the and its demands on the resources of the CALM buoy, while at the same time taking on Angola offshore contractors,” comments diesel. Cornelssen. However, soon these problems will be When all the installation work has been solved. A gas compression unit will enable completed, there will be just a hundred people some of the gas to be used to drive the tur- living on the FPSO. As many of the operations bines, with remainder re-injected into the are computerised, that will be a big enough reservoir. workforce to run the large complex. Already at the time of Universo’s visit in mid-August, the izomba A is located in Block 15, one of number of employees on board had fallen to the deepwater blocks that were licensed 140 from a highpoint of over 200. Kby the Angolan government in the early Some of the operations are still in a transi- 1990s. Afonso N’zoanene who has worked for tional phase. For example, the FPSO is still Sonangol for 21 years (after a stint of four years burning off the gas that is released with the oil, at Texaco), is the administrator of Block 15. with a large red flame pouring from the flare Sitting in his office in Luanda, N’zoanene tower at the forward end of the FPSO. At the gives the history of the block. “The Esso con- SUPER STRUCTURES: same time, despite the huge quantity of crude tracting group won the Block 15 concession for Kizomba A’s SWHP in the hull, the FPSO is currently bringing in which we signed the contract in July 1994. (foreground) and FPSO sit atop a web of pipelines which draw crude from beneath the seabed.

CALM Buoy SWHP FPSO lthough English is the lingua franca on here, most of whom are young, the average age board, people of many different national- would be quite high,” says Cornelssen. “Young Aities work on the vessel. “You name it, men are not as keen as they used to be to we’ve got it,” asserts Cornelssen. “Angolans, spend long periods in a foreign country, away Koreans, Canadians, Australians, Malaysians, from their wives and children. Life on board Northeast Drill South Africans, Britons, Italians, Poles. And I’m can be fun and rewarding but it doesn’t suit Centre sure I’ve forgotten someone. There are very everyone.” few cultural clashes, perhaps because we’re all A number of the technicians working on working so hard that we don’t have time for the FPSO came together in the early days of West Drill Centre Water rows.” the project in Houston, going on to South Water Injection Injection It is the Koreans who have attracted most Korea for the building before taking turns to Gas Injection attention from fellow workers. At the highpoint travel with the giant structure on its three- of the installation work in late 2003, there were month passage to Angola. Altogether they have about one hundred on board, employed by shared the experience for more than seven Kizomba A Hyundai. They are hard workers, stopping only months. Southeast Drill twice a day to eat their national dish, kimchi Centre (fermented vegetables), which has to be spe- n arrival in Angolan waters, the final cially brought in. commissioning has been equally pres- Water Injection South Drill Centre Perhaps surprisingly, there are many men Osured, among other things making in their fifties and even sixties working on the considerable claim on the thrice-daily helicop- FPSO. “If it weren’t for the Angolans working ter service from the mainland. “The fact that

14 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 15 PROFILE:

After a seismic survey and preliminary explo- Early Production System, the Xikomba facility, Esso arrived late on the Angolan scene – An Angolan on Kizomba A ration work, Esso began drilling in 1997,” He which has a much smaller FPSO, did not take and it is never easy for a big company to explains. The initial contract was for four as long to complete as the Kizomba develop- adapt to a new country. “ExxonMobil is the “I’ve been working for Esso Exploration Angola for five years, with a two-year renewal period. Since ment and came on stream first, in November world’s largest oil company, but it took a then, the contract has been extended twice. 2003. while to sort out our relationship,” says years,” says Guilherme Pascoal, chatting during his lunch break. “The drilling has been pretty successful,” The wells at Kizomba are deep, with the N’zoanene. “They provide the money and the He is 25 years old but looks younger – an impression perhaps continues N’zoanene, with a smile. “Since boreholes going down at least one kilometre technology but the reserves are ours. We had reinforced by his nickname Guigui. He is one of nine Angolans, all 1994, we’ve made around 16 or 17 discoveries beneath the seabed – and they penetrate large, to learn to manage the operation together to of them young and ambitious, who are currently working on in Block 15, which is very high for an explo- high-quality reservoirs. Esso puts recoverable comply with the agreements we had signed. It ration period.” reserves at around two billion barrels for wasn’t easy at first but we got through the Block 15’s Kizomba A FPSO. The Angolan government christened the Kizomba A and B combined. The total invest- learning curve. Today we work well together,” Guigui was studying in Luanda when he saw an advertise- whole field complex Kizomba, after the slow ment for both fields is about US$7 billion and He adds. ment for a post with an oil company that promised on-the-job sensual dance that is extremely popular in the reserves are expected to last for at least 20 training and travel abroad. He leapt at the chance and signed up Angola. Each of the individual fields within years. enny, who had worked as manager of for the test without even knowing the company involved. It was Block 15 is named after a traditional Angolan Just a couple of weeks after production at operations in Malaysia before taking on instrument, some of which are used in a Kizomba A began, Jon Penny, Esso’s produc- Pthe Angola job, is also happy with the only after he had been selected that he realised that his new Kizomba band. tion operations manager in Angola, way the relationship has developed. “You employer was Esso Exploration Angola. The consortium that won the concession commented with evident satisfaction: “We’re always need a certain amount of time to Since then, Guigui has certainly travelled. He has spent six is headed by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso already making about 150,000 bpd. Before build a relationship,” he says. “I’ve been asso- months on different training courses in Canada, the United ciated with the Angola project from the very beginning. I spent the first year and half in Kingdom and the United States. Not surprisingly, he has become Houston, hiring technicians as well as ensur- fluent in English – with a mid-Atlantic accent that is virtually In the first phase of development of the block, the consortium ing that we had the necessary processes and impossible to identify. decided to build two FPSOs: Kizomba A and Kizomba B to be built procedures in place run the operation effec- Even though he is working full-time on the FPSO, he is still tively. Our company is always very upfront in studying. Like all Angolan nationals, he follows a 21-days-on, 21- on a “design-one, build-two” basis our dealings and we always work to develop a positive relationship, whoever we deal with.” days-off routine. The workload is intensive, but when he returns All in all, Penny is very pleased with the to Luanda for his break, Guigui does not rest but goes back to way things have gone in Angola. “It’s been a university. He is studying mechanical engineering and when he Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, which long, after more wells have been drilled, we’ll win-win situation for us all. It’s not just has graduated in three years time, hopes to get a better job has a 40 per cent stake in the block. The other be producing 250,000 bpd.” When Kizomba B ExxonMobil and Sonangol that have benefit- partners are BP Exploration (Angola) Limited comes on stream, the total output from the ed. Ultimately this growth benefits the whole within the oil industry. (26.67 per cent), ENI Angola Exploration B.V. fields will be about 500,000 bpd, which is community. You can see the change in From an Angolan’s point of view, one of the disadvantages (20 per cent), and Statoil Angola (13.33 per equivalent to about half of Angola’s current Luanda and the rest of Angola, too, I think. of deepwater and ultra deepwater operations is that there are cent). production. That is very satisfying.” relatively few jobs on offer. These operations are highly capital But this is not the whole story, for Esso is Looking to the future, Esso Exploration n the first phase of development of the already planning the next stage, Kizomba C, Angola is keen to extend its operations. intensive by virtue of the cutting edge technology required to block, the consortium decided to build two which will exploit the Mondo, Saxi and “We’re very committed to Angola and look extract the oil, and in the case Kizomba A the technical chal- IFPSOs: Kizomba A to develop the Hungo Batuque fields. “We are currently working with forward to working with Sonangol to contin- lenge is particularly demanding. and Chocalho fields, and Kizomba B to devel- Sonangol on the pre-development planning,” ue exploring, developing and producing Afonso N’zoanene, Sonangol administrator of Block 15, says op the Kissanje and Dikanza fields, the two says Penny, while N’zoanene points out that opportunities.” he adds. that the answer is to prepare Angolans to take on even the facilities being built on a “design-one, build- this development will be very different from The Kizomba A project says many things two” basis. In other words, Kizomba B, which the earlier two. “The reserves are of different about Angola’s oil industry. Its potential – most demanding jobs. “Angolans have been undergoing intensive will come on stream towards the end of 2005, sizes and the distances between the fields are especially in the light of the current rise in training with Esso Exploration Angola for the last three or four will be very similar to Kizomba A, with just much bigger,” he explains. “We are thinking of world demand and the uncertainties of other years,” he says. “Some of them are now ready to take over.” minor modifications to adapt it to a different building two smaller FPSOs, rather than one production areas, and the massive invest- Esso Exploration Angola, is certainly keen to press ahead site. large one. All that is being decided at the ment that the Block 15 Contractor Group and Construction work on Kizomba A began in moment.” Sonangol are committing to the oilfield, are with the ‘Angolanization’ of its workforce. Already more than 2001. A year later, in June 2002, Esso started What is clear is that Kizomba C will also just two of them. two thirds of its local staff are Angolan, and the company wants work on Xikomba, another deepwater devel- be big. “We’re talking about another 600 mil- But more than this, the sheer scale of this to see the proportion increase still further. opment in Block 15. Compared with the lion barrels,” says Penny. “We expect Kizomba enterprise at the very frontier of offshore So if they want to achieve their goals, Guigui and his peers Kizomba facilities, this is a more modest oper- C to start production in 2007. By the end of all exploration technology, clearly demonstrates will have plenty of encouragement – but it will also mean they ation, with a production rate of 80,000 bpd these developments, Block 15 will have invest- Angola’s confidence in its future – in which and recoverable reserves of about 100 million ed US$10 billion in the country. It’s a the deep reservoirs represent just a part of will be burning the midnight oil for many more nights to come, barrels. Not surprisingly, through the use of an significant sum of money by any standard.” the nation’s riches. ❖ whether ashore or serving the mighty Kizomba A.

16 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DISTRIBU TION

ernando Joaquim Roberto, head of are still in a poor state, so truck journeys to fSonangol Distribuidora sees what lesser outlying provinces can take much longer than fuelling men would perceive as “problems,” to be their distance alone would indicate. The coun- merely challenges to his professional skills. A try has not yet been able to rebuild all the company man for more than 26 years, Roberto installations and storage facilities that were is responsible for ensuring the reliable delivery destroyed during the war, so every ounce of the of the full range of petroleum products to ingenuity is required of Roberto and his team every part of the Luanda metropolis, as well as to maximise the use of available resources. to the remotest corners of Angola. Even finding the vehicles to transport the Appropriately, Distribuidora’s headquar- oil presents a challenge. “Sonangol doesn’t ters is located on the Largo da Matumba, in have enough tankers, so often we have to the heart of downtown Luanda – a square that resort to private haulage companies to support

Y bustles with the colourful daily life of the city. our fleet, which is expensive,” says Roberto. On one side stands a handsome colonial “Added to which, we charge the same price for building, headquarters of the local govern- oil derivatives all over the country, even when ment – and on the other the modern, we are transporting fuel to distant provinces, multi-storied Ministry of Finance. such as Uíge, Moxico, Malanje or Huambo.”

M For Sonangol too has many faces: if an oil Sonangol Distribuidora is tackling these tanker carrying Sonangol’s crude to the USA gets delayed by a hurricane in the Gulf of “Domestic oil consumption has more than doubled Mexico, few Angolans will know or care. But if a neighbourhood in Luanda runs out of bot- since the end of the conflict. And it is the interior of the tled cooking gas, or diesel is in short supply in O ” an outlying province, then Angolans know all country where demand is rebounding most strongly. about it – and it is Distribuidora that has to face the music. As Roberto succinctly puts it, Fernando Joaquim Roberto head of Sonangol Distribuidora “Distribuidora carries the image of Sonangol all over the country.” N Roberto joined Sonangol in 1978 when the whole company could work out of a two storey building. The turbulent years of recent history have furnished him with a wealth of experi- ence. Nothing perturbs him. Indeed, he is O stimulated by the prospect of applying his knowledge to guide the distribution company through a complex process of transition. One of the most paradoxical challenges

C stems from the government’s success in revi- talising the economy. “Domestic oil consumption has more than doubled since the end of the conflict,” he explains. “And it is the E interior of the country where demand is Driven by growing demand, Sonangol’s distribution rebounding most strongly. For example, in the province of Huambo, consumption used to be P H O

negligible, around 0.2 per cent of the national T O

subsidiary is adept at deploying its resources and C

total. Now it stands at 3 per cent, while Lunda O U R T E

Norte and Sul, Malanje and Moxico each S Y

O F

experience to provide round-the-clock deliveries account for about 2 per cent today – and their S O N A

share is growing all the time.” N G O L

It is clearly a positive sign for the national D I S

throughout the country. T R I B

economy that oil demand is increasing so fast, U I D O

placing demands on Distribuidora. The roads R A

18 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 19 pressures with a dual strategy of measures to Nevertheless, for Roberto, providing this refinery buys its crude at world prices and not yet legally established as an independent meet the short-term needs, backed by invest- infrastructure is a painstaking process, a typi- passes on the increase.” This happens at a subsidiary, though the formal transformation ment projects to overcome underlying cal aspect of which is the shortage of the time when the Government is committed, in should occur in the near future. obstacles. “As a short-term measure, we are bottled butane. The shortage is particularly principle, to reducing its subsidies of petrole- Much change is expected over the next continuing to use the mobile filling stations severe in the poorer quarters of Luanda. um related products. The faster the economy few years. By 2009 Angola will have a large which we introduced at the end of the war for “While it’s true that we haven’t enough gas, the grows the greater the fuel subsidies bill is for state-of-the-art refinery at the port of Lobito regions where the infrastructure had been situation is exacerbated by our inability to get the Government. As a result, it authorised a south of Luanda (see Refined Taste in Universo destroyed,” says Roberto. These mobile units the canisters serviced,” explains Roberto. substantial increase of retail fuel prices earlier issue 1) which means that Distribuidora will consist of two containers, the first fitted with So to ease the immediate butane shortage, this year in order to reduce the subsidies. be able to buy almost all its oil derivatives two pumps with a storage tank in the second. Distribuidora will buy half a million canisters Sonangol looks to the time when it will be “At the time we thought of it as a short-term over the next five years, and by the end of the able to press ahead with its long-term plans solution, but I think they work well, and we’ll decade expects local companies to have devel- for its distribution network. “We want to open “As a short-term measure, we are continuing end up keeping them for a while. They are just oped the expertise to maintain the canisters up the distribution sector to private compa- to use the mobile filling stations which we so useful and there will be a role for them properly, thereby prolonging their useful life. nies,” says Roberto. “We know that this is an when the government opens up new areas of area that the oil companies would like to move introduced at the end of the war for regions the country for agriculture,” he adds. t 20 kwanzas (23 US cents) a litre, petrol into, given the right conditions – and it would Sonangol Distribuidora is also funding is cheap in Angola compared to neigh- be good for us to have competition. Almost all where the infrastructure had been destroyed,” projects to improve its infrastructure. The sub- Abouring countries where it can cost at of the majors took a look last year. But at the sidiary invested US$55 million in 2004 and will least US$1.00 a litre. So cross-border smug- moment the sector isn’t profitable. We don’t Fernando Joaquim Roberto head of Sonangol Distribuidora inject a further US$76 million in 2005 to build gling is another issue to be addressed, says want them in this area yet and in fact, they new storage facilities and to modernise its fleet Roberto. “Right now, we are helping unscrupu- aren’t interested at the moment.” locally. By then, too, Roberto expects most of of tankers. The company is also opening a lous people make a big profit by smuggling Like all Sonangol’s subsidiaries, Sonangol the current bottlenecks in the distribution net- large number of permanent filling stations so Angolan oil abroad.” Distribuidora has been reorganised in line work to be resolved. “By the end of the decade, SONANGOL FIGHTS that the country should have around 400 by Although the surge in world oil prices has with the company’s ambitious restructuring we will have some of the railways working SMUGGLING BY EDUCATING DRIVERS: 2009 (the end of the current five-year plan, brought the Angolan government a windfall project. “In practice, I am running the compa- again and the roads will be much improved,” which was inaugurated in 2004). “We need profit, this has not helped Distribuidora. “We ny as a fully-independent subsidiary”, says he says. “Also, we will have much better stor- This cartoon tells the story of a these resources, and even when we have the import about 35 or 40 per cent of the oil deriv- Roberto. “I have to submit a fully-costed proj- age facilities and many more filling stations. clever driver who wants to avoid money, we are constantly seeking local com- atives we sell, particularly petrol, gas oil and ect to Sonangol Holding to get the financing We will have a much more dependable supply queuing at the near by petrol station and buys his lubricant oil panies to supply what we require,” continues jet fuel,” Roberto points out. “Even the deriva- for my investment programme and then pres- of butane. So I hope and expect that these from an unauthorized retailer. As Roberto. “At present we have to import almost tives we buy from the refinery here in Luanda ent detailed accounts showing how I have practicalities that keep me busy today will be a result he damages his car. everything: tankers, pumps, and much else”. have become more expensive, because the spent the money.” However the company is thing of the past.” ❖

GARANTA A MÁXIMA SEGURANÇA (GUARANTEES THE MAXIMUM SAFETY)

20 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 21 TRA INING What’s Sonangol is developing its young professionals NexT? with a raft of innovative courses, e are giving high priority to providing technical enabling them to development programmes for all our profes- ‘‘Wsional staff, both those who work upstream and identify their those who work in information technology,” says João training needs in André, Sonangol’s youthful head of Human Resources, who is clearly excited by the developments in his department. relation to skills Demonstrating Sonangol’s adoption of new human resources management techniques, André highlights two and career key programmes the company is currently adopting: Network Excellence in Training, which is an on-the-job aspirations. coaching-based project, and Technology Mastery – designed to harmonise the use of IT communications throughout the organisation. Perhaps the most important of these is NexT, as the coaching programme is popularly known. This is the brain- child of the multinational Schlumberger group, one of the world’s leading providers of technology, project manage- ment and information solutions for oil and gas companies. Having identified the need for integrated, specialised train- ing for oil companies, in 2000 Schlumberger drew together a consortium which included three leading centres of oil- related expertise: the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M in the USA – and Scotland’s Herriot Watt University. Together, this trio developed NexT. The methodology behind the programme is to identify both the ideal profile for the professional concerned and match it with his actual profile. “We identify the gap between the two and then we work out what can be done to bridge it,” André explains. Augusto Inglés, a 40-year old computer expert, is one of Sonangol’s new breed of professionals whose career André wants to promote. Like so many of his colleagues, Augusto has spent a substantial period abroad. “There weren’t enough facilities here in Angola for me to further my studies, so in January 1994 I went to England,” he says. “It also gave me the opportunity to learn English, which I M O C

. knew was an important skill to acquire.” After leaving the S E G A UK in 1998, he spent four years in Lisbon to gain further M I / N O

T experience, before coming back to Angola in 2002. L I W

S Augusto now works in Sonangol’s information depart- A L O H

C ment, where he is a web portal administrator. He is also I N

WINTER 2004 23 TRA INING

“It’s my ‘Road Map’ one of 50 people chosen to be the first recipi- have done a full appraisal – but it seems to be ents of the Learning Management System going very well.” and it will last for five (LMS), which is the NexT programme that NexT is the framework against which years. Now I’m Sonangol selected. His first task was to draw Sonangol’s professionals undergo their other up a comprehensive curriculum vitae. training. “In fact, we do so many courses that beginning to put it in “I presented my CV to the LMS consult- we have to plan carefully, in order that there practice. It’s good, ant, a world expert in database management, are sufficient staff in the department to carry which is the area I want to specialise in, ” he out the routine work,” says 37-year-old Simão because previously explains. “When we met he asked me me a lot Gaspar, a geophysicist who was also trained I didn’t really know of questions about my work and ambitions. It abroad, at the Federal University of Rio de was quite a tough session but also very excit- Janeiro in Brazil. He has been working for where my career ing. It was so good to talk to someone who Sonangol for six years. was heading.” knew as much has he does about the topics in School which I’m interested.” his is a point echoed by 25-year-old Augusto Inglés, This was followed by an interview with his Nelson Nascimento. He left Angola with Web Portal Administrator, head of the department, after which the three This family when he was 15 years old, Sonangol got together to work out a career development spending almost a decade abroad, first in of plan for Augusto. “It’s my ‘Road Map’ and it Portugal and then in Zimbabwe (which Excellence will last for five years,” he says. “Now I’m accounts for his excellent English). His first beginning to put it in practice. It’s good, contact with Sonangol was when he was work- because previously I didn’t really know where ing with a contractor on the construction of a my career was heading.” hospital in Luanda. The time-span of a typical road map He has now been working for Sonangol for ESSA is investing heavily to offer the best safety depends on the level of proficiency already 18 months as a systems administrator. “We, acquired by the individual. As in Augusto’s the technicians in Sonangol, are privileged,” and technical training in Africa, by providing case, for a young professional the duration is he comments. “On average we go abroad for state-of-the-art facilities and top quality courses. usually about four or five years. training about once a year, and just about Aristóteles Lucas is a 30-year old geo- every month we’re sent on some kind of physicist, who specialises in seismic course here in Angola. Sometimes we’re doing For an industry as complex and potentially hazardous as oil exploration, the interpretation. He was also interviewed by an so many courses that it’s hard to find time to highest standards of safety and technical training are vital – and Sonangol LMS consultant and was very pleased with the cover the job we’re employed to do!” aims to become one of Africa’s leaders in this field. results. “My medium-term objective is to Technology Mastery is another big project ESSA (Empresa de Serviços e Sondagens de Angola), the company’s main become a good technician, so that I can be under way at Sonangol – and one that involves safety and technical training centre is located at Cacuaco, just over an hour’s promoted to a more senior position within the almost everyone in the company. Like corpo- drive from central Luanda. The ESSA facility was acquired by Sonangol in department,” he explains. “In the longer term, rate entities all over the world, Sonangol has 1997, and currently accommodates 80 people undergoing training on the vari- perhaps in 15 years time, I would like to move found that many of its subsidiaries are using ous courses it runs. When the planned expansion is completed in 18 month’s P H

into management.” different information technologies, most of time, it will be able to take up to 250 people, and be a O T O S : Although NexT is primarily concerned which are incompatible. So the company is Sonangol profit centre in its own right. C L O V I

with training, the aim is for the candidate to now implementing this programme, which will “We want Sonangol’s training facilities to become a S

F E R R

be doing a real job. “For example, a geologist introduce standard computer technology reference in Africa, so that neighbouring countries send E I R A

D

may need more experience in analysing geolo- throughout the whole organisation. their young technicians to be trained with us,” says A

S I L V

gy, so we will arrange for him to look into the “It’s a big project because we have to train Sonangol’s head of Human Resources, João André. A / E S S geology of a certain region of Angola,” explains everyone who in any way uses IT,” says “ESSA plays a key role in this strategy. We are investing A André. “That’s real work: collecting data which Augusto Inglés. Indeed, Sonangol sees it as a at least US$7 million in the modernisation and expan- we will use later. This project is for coaching, fundamental requirement that all concerned sion of the Cacuaco centre.” rather than for training pure and simple,” he speak the same language in the IT environ- In addition to the new accommodation, there will goes on. “It’s good value for Sonangol and it ment, which is why the company is putting be a modern conference centre, a US$3 million training gives the trainees more satisfaction.” considerable effort behind the scheme. pool and an advanced fire fighting training area, to be The first 50 trainees gave very positive As André concludes, “we want to help our built at a cost of US$1.5 million. feedback to Sonangol so the company has young professionals to develop. It’s good for Already the ESSA facilities are beginning to look decided to extend the project to include them, it will increase the satisfaction they get impressive: when Universo arrived, a group of young another 200 people. “We’re investing a lot of from their work. And it’s obviously good for workers from offshore contractor, Pride Oil was learning money in this – about US$8-10million,” Sonangol. The young people we’re training how to use different types of fire extinguisher. Red reveals André. “We believe that it will make today are set to play a key role in the develop- flames leap from the ground, as each trainee approaches big contribution. It’s early days – too soon to ment of the company.” ❖ to try his hand at becoming a fire fighter.

24 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 25 On the other side of the outdoor facility, procedure quite scary, because they have to “We’re now working to get the courses cer- ment will set standards for training and the finishing touches are already being put to wait until water rises inside the helicopter tified,” João André explains. “We submit details write its own regulations,” says Smith. the spectacular training pool. “I haven’t seen before activating the emergency mechanisms. and then we’re audited. One of the companies “ESSA will be the only national centre anything better anywhere else in the world,” Sometimes they have to do it three times before that does this work is Norway’s DNV (Det with certified courses and we hope to comments Dick Smith, the experienced and they feel comfortable with the procedures.” Norske Veritas) but we have contracts with become the country’s main training highly energetic American manager of the cen- Two years ago Sonangol decided to bring other companies for other areas. Originally our centre. We will be qualified to pro- tre. “I once visited a similar pool for training in the Marine & Offshore Group – an Australian goal was to get this work done in a year but it is vide courses for the oil North Sea offshore workers, which went one company specialising in offshore safety train- probably more realistic to think of completion companies. We could even run better with a wave simulator. But then the seas ing – as a minority partner in ESSA. This group, by the end of 2006 as an achievable target,” he courses for Chevron’s employ- which has a 35 per cent stake in the centre, reveals. ees at its facilities.” “We want Sonangol’s training facilities to become a provides know-how and is currently issuing And João André has another safety certificates to trainees. The offshore con- t the moment ESSA does not run techni- dream too: for ESSA to replace South reference in Africa, so that neighbouring countries tractor, SBM Offshore, has a 14 per cent stake. cal courses but rents out its facilities to oil Africa as the continents principal training send their young technicians to be trained with us.” ESSA soon hopes to issue certificates in its Acompanies that bring in their own train- provider. ❖ own name “Before we drew up our plans for ers and equipment. But soon this too will João André, Head of Human Resources, Sonangol turning ESSA into a world-class centre, we did change. “We’ll have our own industrial training some benchmarking with the Brazilian compa- centre, providing courses in forklift and crane ny, Sampling,” says João André. Sonangol then operation, scaffolding, rigging, slinging and so off Angola aren’t rough, so we don’t need one.” decided on the training programmes it would on,” explains Smith. “Our first crane will be The pool also has a launch ramp for boats and develop. arriving soon.” an underground viewing room with a large The centre is currently in the process of In his long career Dick Smith has travelled glass window. It also has another striking fea- obtaining accreditaion from IMO (International to many parts of the world, including Nigeria ture: for offshore who frequently make flights Maritime Organisation) to offer training for the and Burma, but feels he has ‘come home’ in to and from their workplace out in the ocean, a STCW95 convention, which lays down mini- Angola. “I’m greatly enjoying this job. Angola is full-scale replica of a helicopter to enables mum standards of training for a country with a great future and it’s good to be ESSA instructors to run helicopter underwater seafarers. It is also seeking making a contribution. I still get offers from escape exercises. ISO 9000 certification. other places but I’m going to stay here.” “Our replica really does inject a sense of Training is clearly an area that will grow in realism,” enthuses Smith. “Trainees find the importance in coming years – and already things are moving: every year ESSA turns out hundreds newly qualified staff, trained in a variety of job skills and safety procedures, while Esso Exploration Angola, Total and most other contractors send their staff to Cacuaco on a regular basis. At the moment, Chevron runs its own training courses, although these courses are not certified internationally. “We think that in about three years time the Angolan govern-

REALISM: Offshore operatives practice helicopter escape and survival procedures in ESSA’s giant pool.

FIRST AID: Trainees learn how to treat injured colleagues.

FLAMES: A S S

E Oil workers master the / A V L

I special skills of fire fighting. S

A

D (opposite)

A R I E R R E F

S I V O L C

: S O T O H P

26 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 27 HISTORY

for the discovery of a large offshore zone, as the Sanha Condensate Project, and a special EARLY DAYS: Transworld 58 working at made up of 36 fields and covering some 5,578 purpose-built FPSO, constructed in Japan, is the southern limit of the sq. kms, now called “Block 0”. currently on its way to Angola to serve this Cabina concession, 1968. Today ChevronTexaco (which has a 39.2 scheme, for which specialists from ten coun- LOADING: per cent stake in the Block 0 Association) oper- tries, including Angola, helped draw up the Tanker berthed at the Malongo ates Block 0 on behalf of Sonangol (41 per specifications. When it comes on stream in Terminal, 1968 and the terminal Fifty cent), TotalFinaElf (10 per cent) and Agip (9.8 January 2005, the routine flaring of gas in today. (below) per cent). Current production from the block Block 0 will be reduced by more than half, is approximately 400,000 bpd, which makes it which will result in an annual reduction of car- Archive photos by Robert Cairns for Angola’s largest producing area. bon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere Cabinda Gears Up to Go on Stream, years In 1997 Chevron maintained its position equivalent to around 2.2 million tonnes. the Orange Disk, 1968 as trail-blazer by making the first deepwater At the same time, the plant will produce discovery when it found oil in the Kuito field in 100,000 bpd of oil and oil equivalents in the Block 14, an area of some 4,092 sq. kms to the form of condensates, including a light liquid On west of Block 0. It was an exciting discovery, hydrocarbon, similar to petrol, as well as liq- for until then no one knew that Angola’s oil uid petroleum gas (LPG), an even lighter Fifty years after ChevronTexaco reserves extended deep into the ocean. mixture of butane and propane. The company decided to develop the new began exploration in Angola, it reserve quickly. Because the weather in the n May this year, Sonangol Holding, which is still the country’s largest Atlantic Ocean off Angola is benign, with none is the concessionaire for the Angolan oil of the fierce storms that cause havoc in the Iindustry, announced the extension of the producer and is heading for a Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, it opted for Block 0 concession for a further 20 years, from a FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and 2010 to 2030. thriving future, having recently Offloading) system, Angola’s first offshore Speaking at the signing ceremony in installation of this kind. In December 1999, Washington, ChevronTexaco’s chairman and renewed its Block 0 concession just 30 months after oil was discovered, chief executive, Dave O’Reilly, said: “This Chevron began production. In 2001 Chevron agreement is the latest highlight in for a further 20 years. merged with Texaco. ChevronTexaco’s long-term partnership with Today ChevronTexaco has an interest in Angola and underscores our commitment to a four concessions, which cover 10,791 sq. kms. country where we have had a presence since Last year the average production from these the 1930s. It also sends a strong message to the or half a century ChevronTexaco has concessions was 526,000 bpd – well over half international business community – that we dominated oil production in Angola. of the Angolan total. have found Angola to be a good place to FIn September 1954 the Gulf Oil The company is currently installing a invest. The extension enables the Block 0 Company (which was later bought by US$1.9 billion flare elimination project, known Association partners to optimise the further Chevron) was the first oil major to start work in the country when it began exploration in Ponta Vermelha in the northern province of Cabinda. Four years later it drilled Angola’s first well, although no commercially viable dis- coveries of oil were made. The first discovery of oil in commercial quantities was made in 1956 by the

Companhia de Petróleos de Angola S E V I H

(Petrangol), which was nominally owned by C R A

S

the Portuguese government, although foreign N O I T A C companies carried out the work. Petrangol I N U M

started the first onshore operations in the M O C

O

Congo River Basin. C A X E T

In 1966 the Cabinda Gulf Oil Company N O R

(Cabgoc), which was formed by Gulf Oil to V E H C

manage and develop its interests in Angola, F O

Y S E

made the first offshore discovery in the coun- T R U O

try in the shallow waters of the Malongo field, C

S O T

just off Cabinda province. This paved the way O H P

28 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 29 development of Block 0 for the benefit of the good governance is a cornerstone of good give an excellent view of the city. “For many ple to move around. It helps spread best prac- Now that ChevronTexaco Angolan people and the association.” business and it is in our interest to make years our company has been the biggest petro- tice throughout the whole company. Over the There are, however, significant changes in progress in this important area. Economic leum producing operator in Angola”, he says, last year we’ve had two of our Angolans select- knows that its future in the terms of the new agreement. “If you com- growth and stability are critical factors in the with obvious satisfaction. “That will remain the ed for top management jobs – one became IT Angola is secure pare the last contract with the new one, you reconstruction of Angola and that is why we case for many years but we recognise that as manager in Brazil and another went to head following the signing of will see big changes,” said Sonangol CEO, are working diligently to put in place the the Angolan oil industry gets bigger with the the global environment management compa- Manuel Vicente. “In the past we had to give financial management systems necessary to rapid development of its offshore fields, other ny. That’s been another milestone for us.” the Block 0 extension, generous conditions to attract the companies, facilitate the resumption of normal economic oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Total and Perhaps the project that excites Blackwell because the country was at war. But today the life for Angola’s people, to foster international BP, are also getting bigger. That’s as it should it is pushing ahead all its most, is the Angola LNG (liquefied natural gas) situation is different. We don’t have to give trade and to encourage foreign direct invest- be. We’re all important players in the industry.” plans, including the project that ChevronTexaco is leading jointly these incentives. In the past they had a profit ment in our country.” Now that ChevronTexaco knows that its ‘Angolization’ of its margin of about 44 per cent. Now it’s gone Mr O’Reilly added: “ChevronTexaco is future in Angola is secure following the signing with Sonangol. The plant, which is being built down to 25-30 per cent. They know the rules of fully supportive of the bold move to tackle of the Block 0 extension, it is pushing ahead all onshore in Soyo, about 200 miles north of workforce. the game. We weren’t asking anything beyond such a difficult issue as transparency and good its plans, including the ‘Angolization’ of its Luanda, brings two main benefits: it will elimi- their limits. They are still earning a lot of governance. The disclosure of the Block 0 sign- workforce. Blackwell comments that “For nate the need for flaring in various offshore oil money here.” ing bonuses is fully in line with what we have many years the problem was the war. It both developments and it will make gas available to In keeping with its new commitment to long believed and called for: that the effort to limited our ability to expand our operations local industries. modernising the company, Sonangol also address the management of oil revenues and restricted our access to Angolan talent, but “It is an exciting project for the country, announced the bonuses that it has negotiated should be led by the governments concerned, since the end of the 1990s we’ve been able to because it will bring a lot of jobs for Angolans”, with the Block 0 members: a US$210 million not imposed on them by others. We are increase the number of Angolans we employ. says Blackwell. “And what is even more impor- signing bonus and an additional US$80 mil- pleased that President Dos Santos and his We now have about 2,500 Angolan employees, tant, it opens up a huge number of new lion social bonus, part of which will be administration have taken this step and we which is about 90 per cent of our total work- opportunities for the local economy. Once invested in social development projects in stand by to support the transparency efforts.” force. The proportion is lower among there is gas onshore, there will be the chance Cabinda province. This was the first time that managers – about 70 per cent. But our goal is Sonangol had made public the amounts hevronTexaco has a fine, large building to achieve 90 per cent Angolan management to set up petrochemical factories, to produce agreed, and it is widely seen as an important in Luanda, located on Lenin Avenue and by 2010.” fertilisers, to generate power. All this is going to milestone in the move towards greater trans- Cstanding opposite Agostinho Neto After that, ChevronTexaco expects the be a huge stimulus for the whole economy. parency. University. Sitting in his office, Jim Blackwell, process to level out. “We always want a propor- That is what we want the oil wealth to do – Mr Vicente commented at the ceremony: the company’s managing director in Angola, tion of our employees to come from other promote the industrialisation and develop- “The government of Angola understands that looks through the large glass windows that places around the world, because we like peo- ment of the country.” ❖

giant tectonic plate split up in this way, the African continent was In tertiary time, an enormously thick fan of sediments was but no wells were drilled as a result. CORE VALUE not involved in any collisions with other land masses – so it has no deposited offshore from the mouth of the River Congo. The now In 1914 a newly-formed company, the Companhia de Pesquisas As the geologist Tako Koning says, the way to view Africa’s major mountain ranges, such as the Andes, the Himalayas, the Alps famous giant-sized oil fields, such as Girassol, Dahlia and Kuito occur Minerais de Angola (PEMA), began the first scientific hydrocarbon geology is to imagine being in a satellite in space, looking down on or the Rocky Mountains. within these tertiary-age sediments. research studies in what can be considered to be the official begin- the entire continent. You will see an extensive central core, which It is this geological history that accounts for Angola’s huge oil ning of oil exploration in Angola. The first exploration well called consists of granites, volcanic intrusions and extensive belts of meta- reserves. At the time the Pangea core began to separate, the SUBSURFACE Dande-1, drilled on May 25, 1915, was followed by the drilling of morphic rock. This core, known as the supercontinent of Pangea, oceans were a considerable distance away, and as the land masses The oil trapped in Angola’s bedrock was so abundant that in three more. No commercial quantities of oil were discovered. has some of the oldest rocks in the world, and within them huge began to move apart, a north-south rift valley was created along places it trickled from the subsurface to ground level. In the early In 1919 a new company, COPA (Companhia de Petroleo de Angola) mineral riches are stored: diamonds, gold, sil- what is today the coastline of Angola. The lakes that formed in this colonial period, the Portuguese discovered some of these oil seeps, was created in association with a US company, Sinclair Consolidated ver, titanium, copper and others. valley received an enormous amount of organic material, mostly one of which was located in the Donde River area some 70 kms Oil Corporation, to explore an area along the Congo River in the Originally Pangea was much plant debris, from the surrounding highlands. from Luanda and as early as the late 1700s oil was being shipped north of the country. The American geologist, Keesack Duke White, larger than it is today. About home to Portugal in small quantities. was contracted as exploration manager for Sinclair. He made his 200 million years ago it split DEPOSITS However, it was some time before people began to talk seri- first trip to Angola in a ship carrying military prisoners from Lisbon. up, with some parts moving Gradually these deposits were buried, as more and more sedi- ously about developing an Angolan oil industry. In 1898 AJ Simões In a letter, he says the journey “required just one month from New north towards what is now ments were deposited. With ever increasing pressure and Almeida, a Portuguese businessman, was enthused by the indications York to Loanda (sic), which was not bad”. The concessionary con- the Mediterranean and temperature, these sediments became the rocks that generated of large-scale oil reserves he had found during a trip to Angola. He tract with Sinclair ended in 1932, once again without significant India, other parts moving Angola’s oil and gas. As the continents continued to move apart in contracted a geologist to drill some wells, which appear to have quantities of oil being discovered. east to what is today Cretaceous time, the Atlantic Ocean moved in, depositing thick been dry as there were no further developments. The next phase of oil exploration started after World War II, Australia, and a third large beds of marine rocks along the Angolan coast. Included in these In 1910 the first exploration contract was signed, between the when new drilling began. In 1955 the Benfica field was discovered land mass or craton slid sediments were extensive beds of limestone sands, which were very Angola General Government, as the Portuguese colonial administra- just south of Luanda in the Kwanza river basin and crude oil produc- west to form the continent porous and became the reservoir rocks from which much of tion was called, and the Canha and Formigal Company. This ceded tion started the same year. of South America. Because this Angola’s oil is produced. the rights to a large area of 114,000 sq kms in the north of Angola – The vast expansion of the Angolan oil industry had begun.

WINTER 2004 31 S I T R U C

R O N A E L Angola conjures up enduring images, a mosaic of impressions and E indelible experiences for those who go there. It is a country diverse in its

A scenery and culture, offering a breadth of appeal to match anything in Africa. The charm, the optimism and the vigour of its people are matched by a surprising range of environments, from desert to rainforest, from savannah L to the dramatic highlands of Huila. Small wonder that Angolans, exiled during the years of conflict are now flocking home, to the country they love with a passion, bringing with them the priceless assets of knowledge, experience – and energy – as well as O exposure to influences from all parts of the world that inject a new, subtle blend of spice to the country’s indigenous art and culture. Themes that inspired the struggle for freedom are now being revisited by

G youthful talent that infuses them with fresh interpretation, while the rhythms of traditional tunes delight new audiences. Beyond the urban landscapes, the country opens onto vast regions that raise some of the finest crops, cattle and other agricultural products – a N resource that could feed the nation as well as support a flourishing export trade. And all the while, the steady stream of the returnees continues, some A making their own way and others assisted through programmes run by the UNHCR. All are coming home to build a new life in the country they love. E D I S N I

32 SONANGOL UNIVERSO REGIONAL FO CUS

Minerals, rich agricultural land, breathtaking scenery and a timeless heritage hold the prospect of a future that the two million people of Huila province are eager to embrace.

lance skywards from almost anywhere Gin the town of Lubango and the majestic Christo Rei statue, arms out- stretched as it embraces the capital of Huila province, comes into view. Christo Rei has kept watch over this southern province for centuries, and people from all faiths and back- Land of grounds say they feel safe in its towering presence. The gods have certainly smiled on this province of two million people, sparing it from the worst ravages of Angola’s 27-year civil war and furnishing it with stunning plains, dra- matic mountain ranges and fertile agricultural Promise land. Huila is also home to one of Angola’s most emblematic images, the Serra de Leba road, which winds its way down from the capital, heading towards Namibe province and beyond to neighbouring Namibia. The snaking Serra de Leba is a “must-see” and tourists from near and far come in droves to marvel at its vertical drops and hairpin bends. Aside from its superb scenery, Huila is also known for its delicious strawberries, wild mushrooms and acres upon acres of orange, green and yellow citrus orchards. At the cen- tral market in the capital, hand-woven baskets in every shape and size are overflowing with zesty limes, tangerines, oranges and lemons. But above all, Huila is known as Angola’s cow country, boasting millions of head of cat- tle and an industry that accounts for more than two thirds of its economy. Fernando Borges, a local celebrity figure who is fondly known as O Rei do Gado, (The King of the Cows), is now the head of a 100-year-old fami- GUARDIAN: ly cattle business. The magestic Christo Rei statue Speeding down his farm’s long driveway in towers over Lubango. (left) his bukkie, Borges reaches for his designer shades to block out the glaring winter sun. EMBLEMATIC:

O “My family bought this farm for 200 British The Serra de Leba Road winds its T N I P way to Namibe through Huila’s dra-

A pounds – at the time that was a lot of money,” V L I S

matic hill country. (previous page) E

S says the debonair entrepreneur. O J

34 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 35 Priding himself as one of the largest provinces. “Cattle farming is the main activity Angola is still imported. Borges can only there is plenty of room for agricultural pro- herdsmen in the country – with 10,000 head of here in the province and economically it’s the shake his head when he thinks of the tonnes duction to swell. “We don’t want to see just cattle – the King of the Cows is a busy man. most important activity too. It is a tradition of foreign beef packed with hormones that one Fernando, we want to see 500 His business includes a dairy farm, which pro- that comes from years back,” says Luis Passos, find their way onto the supermarket shelves Fernandos, all breeding cattle so Luanda duces local butter, cheeses, milk and yoghurt, provincial economic adviser. of Angola. can have a nice steak like the one you ate an abattoir and a mineral water factory. Like In this province, where cows are revered “We have the best beef because God today,” he laughs. most farmers here, he also has his own large for the wealth they bring, stealing is consid- gave us everything. We just put the animals strawberry field. ered one of the most serious crimes. “Rustling in the field and let them eat the grass. We eacetime is also providing a perfect But it’s not just large-scale farmers whose cattle is worse than killing a person. Many don’t feed them hormones. Our meat is 100 opportunity to revitalise other sectors livelihoods depend on the cattle-business. A farmers wouldn’t think twice about shooting per cent organic. That’s why it is so good,” Pwhich virtually shut down during the further three million cattle are in the hands of dead a cow thief,” says one local resident. says Borges, admitting to liking nothing conflict. The local government is working nomadic herdsmen who roam around Huila In the past, Huila had up to 100 commer- more than a succulent filet steak. on a long list of projects, focusing particu- and into neighbouring Cunene and Namibe cial cattle farmers breeding almost a million With only a tiny fraction of the lush larly on the extraction industry. head of cattle. Producing enough meat to feed provincial plains currently being cultivated, The mining, processing and export of “There is great potential for tourism here. You the entire country and for export, the activity contributed to Angola’s pre-war reputation as already have many people investing in the industry – the region’s breadbasket. farmers are building lodges in town and on their farm. The conflict severely damaged the indus- “Cattle farming is the main activity It’s going really very well.” try, with many farmers fleeing the country to CELEBRITY: Tottas Martins, the safety of Europe or Brazil, but Passos says here in the province In Huila province, beef farmer Cattle farmer, tourism pioneer and restauranteur it is now on the road to recovery. “We’re in and economically Fernando Borges is fondly known as “O Rei do Gado” peacetime now, the roads are open, and I think it’s the most (The King of the Cows). the money we were spending on war and guns important activity is now starting to be spent on economic activi- too. It is a tradition ties. I believe that in three to four years the that comes from southern region will easily be able to provide years back.” the whole of Angola with meat,” he says. Luis Passos, Borges, who boasts that he never once Provincial economic advisor. during the war years closed the doors of his business, agrees: “Now we can start thinking of supplying milk and meat and everything to the country. You can be sure that in ten years time, Angola won’t need to import anything – not potatoes, not anything. We have the climate, we have the water, we have everything – there’s no reason why we can’t produce everything ourselves.” For now, few outside of Huila will be lucky enough to taste the delicious juices of a tender locally produced steak, as most meat in

IDYLLIC: Located 170 kms south of Lubango, the newly opened NNN Lodge and its widlife, are already a big success with tourists. (opposite) O T N I P

A V L I 2004 37 36 SONANGOL UNIVERSO S WINTER

E S O J the rare and beautiful “Black Angola” granite is government says “Black Angola” will become a government, which is providing higher educa- SPECTACULAR: gearing up again. Unique to the province, this major source of export revenue as more com- tion courses in law, economics, teaching and PROUD: Tundavala Gorge offers Fine featured stunning views of the Huila top quality stone is used to make plush panies spot the potential for profit and come agriculture. “Lubango is known as an academ- Mumuila women highlands and distant Namibe. kitchen surfaces and luxury wall and floor cov- on the scene. Existing firms say reserves of the ic city, it is a university hub for the south of the from Huila’s erings and is already in high demand from mirror-like stone are immense, and could offer country,” the governor asserts proudly. largest Nhemeca ethnic group. wealthy customers in Italy, Portugal and Spain. decades if not centuries of mining activity. But that doesn’t satisfy the ambitions of “The biggest granite companies in the But the good news does not end there. 15-year old Ariana who has her heart set on world want to come and invest in Angola,” Iron and diamonds may also be future money- training as an engineer and having a career in says Henrique Carrico, managing partner of spinners for Huila. “We have a lot of potential the burgeoning mining sector. “The country Emanha, a local firm which transforms rough in the mining sector, mainly in black granite needs engineers. We have a lot of mineral granite into polished slabs for export. The local but also in iron. We already know we have dia- resources here and we need to explore them,” monds too. Now we just need to see if she says, echoing the enthusiasm of many of diamond production is commercially viable,” this province’s youth. says governor Francisco José Ramos da Cruz. “I want to help make our country better The region’s iron industry is in line for a and make it grow. But we don’t have an engi- boost with a multi-billion dollar government neering school in Lubango. I would have to project to kick-start production, while tourism study in Sumbe [in Kwanza Sul province] or is already luring investment and visitors to the Luanda, and I don’t want to leave this province. province,” she says. Cattle farmer, tourism pioneer and restau- Nevertheless, Lubango is a place where ranteur Tottas Martins zips from table to table intellectuals seem to feel at home. Angolan during the lunchtime rush at his Muhonguera writers chose the city to host their first-ever Lodge restaurant, a scene that proves business national conference in August which attracted is thriving. Outside, the Lodge’s thatched roof well-known names such as Pepetela, Ondjaki cottages, surrounded by graceful gazelles, are a and João Melo. “It’s calm, it’s clean and it was popular destination for tourists from Luanda, almost untouched by the war. It’s inspiring,” as well as from Zimbabwe, Botswana, South says Ondjaki who attended the event to launch Africa and Namibia his new book. Martins has confidence in the future. The 26-year old novelist is one of many to “There is great potential for tourism here. You have found inspiration in the people of Huila, already have many people investing in the especially its bare-breasted and beaded industry – farmers are building lodges in town Mumuila women who hail from the largest and on their farms,” he says. “It’s going really Nhaneca ethnic group. A magnet for photog- very well.” raphers, the simple lifestyle and hard-working Sure enough, one of Angola’s first game nature of these nomadic people represent the lodges is set to open by the end of 2004, offer- soul of Huila culture. ing the perfect bush habitat for giraffes, zebra, As the sun leaves behind another beauti- gnus, impala, kudu and springbok, to name ful night-sky, an elderly Mumuila and her but a few. Run by three brothers, the lodge, donkey head for shelter after a hard day’s work called ‘NNN’, situated 170 kms south of in the fields. Her dignity and strength of char- Lubango, has already been flooded with acter are emblematic of this fascinating region. requests from Angola and abroad. Huila is a province already making strides on “We’ve had lots of interest from the United the road to rehabilitation though its people are States, Portugal and South Africa, also from still committed to the traditions and values of foreigners who live in Luanda. This is a new their past. ❖ thing in our country and people are curious. Foreigners want to be able to say ‘I’ve been to Angola’,” says one brother, Joca Nunes. “It’s a challenge – but yes, I think there’s great poten- tial for tourism in Huila. I love the bush and this is a unique idea, a unique opportunity,” he adds. O

T As these industries begin to grow, there is N I P

A

V a need for well-trained young people to help L I S

E S them flourish – a fact not lost on the provincial O J

38 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 39 C U LTURE

Steeped in themes that

played an inspirational role S in the struggle for freedom,

the contemporary music M scene bursts with exciting new talent that is creating H infectious rhythms. T itting still at a Paulo Flores concert is not really an option. From suited government Sofficials and businessmen to their immaculate wives, trendy young Angolans and foreign visitors, Flores’ rhythmic semba beats Y stir even the most reserved. Whether showing off their passada moves on the dance floor, singing along to his catchy tunes or just tapping their feet, the entire audi-

ence is gripped. H Flores truly is one of Angola’s biggest musi- cal stars, yet talk to him backstage and you would hardly guess that such a modest, almost shy 33-year-old has wooed audiences at home and abroad for more than half his life. R “Here in Angola I’m almost a star because

everybody knows me and likes me. I don’t know why,” he says after his captivating performance at Luanda’s open-air Kilamba Cultural Centre. “I don’t go out a lot when I’m here. I only go out to L perform because if I go to a party people go ‘woah’, when they see me. With my personality, fame doesn’t sit easily,” he says. Flores is one of many Angolan artists to have built up a successful musical career abroad. He left Angola at the age of three but the rhythms and lyrics of his musical repertoire O are all inspired by his homeland. From his famous ballad Mana Chiquita to the more socially critical songs, Flores’ verses draw on the highs and lows of Angolan life. Day-to-day living has been the subject of Angolan song as far back as the 1940s when the O group Ngola Ritmos introduced hard-hitting urban music to the country while it was still under Portuguese rule. “Ngola Ritmos were the first big Angolan group. They really kicked off L E I L C E B

O D

40 SONANGOL UNIVERSO R A C I R urban music here by recording and popularis- nursery rhyme Mangonha (Lazybones), there are more nightclubs but we still enjoy Kiemuezo is known as the King of Angolan ing traditional folk melodies,” says Luisa explains how the group became a song and dancing at home with family and friends,” says music and of the Semba style. “He only sings Rogério, culture editor of the national newspa- dance phenomenon. Pedro Neves. Loving nothing more than a Semba and he sings in the Kimbundu lan- per, Jornal de Angola. “They sang in national “My mother started to compose songs for night out dancing to the hot Kizomba rhythms, guage. He’s in his sixties and was already languages, used national rhythms and pro- me when I was three because I was singing all Neves laughs at the suggestion that some may known during the colonial times. He’s definite- duced music with a message, calling for the time. She wrote Mangonha and today all find them simply too saucy. “A lot of people ly the best-known and most emblematic of Angolan nationalism,” she adds. Angolan children sing this song,” Pegado says. think it’s sexy and I suppose it is. But I think Angolan musicians,” Rogério explains. For all its popularity among Angolans, the “At the time, I was very shy and didn’t like to nothing of dancing Kizomba even with my sis- impact of their music was too strong for the perform on stage so we added other girls to ter or my mum,” Neves comments. hile Kiemuezo is number one at home, Portuguese rulers who imprisoned the band’s the group and became As Gingas,” she adds. Slower, and undeniably even more seduc- a close second but better known frontman, Luceu Vieira Dias on several occa- Today trumpeted as the Spice Girls of tive still is Tarachinha, which like Kizomba Wabroad is Bonga. “Kiemuezo may be sions. Undeterred, Dias – honoured in a poem Angola with four albums under their belt, As hails from the music of the French Caribbean the king but Bonga is the ambassador of by Angola’s first president, Agostinho Neto – Gingas sing traditional favourites as well as and former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde. Angolan music. Bonga fills out the concert continued to play and inspire other groups. their own contemporary hits. “A lot of our “Tarachinha is mainly danced by the younger halls and brings in the crowds from all walks of Music is now seen to have played a central role songs today are about how happy we can be generation. Some older people think it’s too life – young, old, poor and rich,” Rogério says. in the struggle for freedom. now that Angola is at peace,” says band man- erotic because the two bodies are so close they Indeed when the Portugal-based Bonga ager, songwriter – Pegado’s mother – almost melt into one,” says Rogério, laughing recently came home to Luanda for a handful Rosa Roque. but admitting she prefers dancing the Semba. of performances, avid fans were willing to “Angolan music was very important in bring- “In our songs, we’re always singing about A more formal ballroom dance, Semba is usu- queue for hours to listen to his unique inter- ing about independence in that it mobilised the joy and education and sometimes about the ally a dance-à-deux, but is also a chance for pretation of Semba. masses and helped make them conscious about need for change. But we’re always positive and soloists to take to the floor. “He sings in his own style, he has his own what was happening” encouraging rather than a voice of opposition While Flores is exemplary of a younger formula and his own rhythm – and although Luisa Rogério, Jornal de Angola and revolt,” she explains. generation of Semba musicians, Elias Dia he usually sings in Portuguese or Kimbundu, Her 25-year-old daughter, capturing a growing sense of hope in the country’s future, “Angolan music was very important in agrees. “Now it’s time to start celebrating – not bringing about independence in that it the great country we have, but the great coun- mobilised the masses and helped make them try we’re going to have,” Pegado asserts. conscious about what was happening,” Peace has been good for As Gingas but the Rogério says. One song, Milhoro, sung by the war did not silence their sweet voices that group Kiezos, was banned by the colonial made it to every corner of the country. They regime for its hostile refrain: “Vai, vai te embo- went on tour to most provinces, although trav- ra. Isso assim não pode ser” (Go, go away. This el was difficult. Pegado says it was important situation cannot be). to lift spirits during the worst years of fighting. With the highs of independence in 1975 “We kept going but of course we chose the after centuries of Portuguese rule, came the right moments to travel. Sometimes we would lows of a civil war which was to span nearly be in and out of an area in a day,” she says. three decades. The devastating conflict took its toll on the development of Angola’s music ntegral to the As Gingas’ stage-show, which scene. After a flying start from the forties to the has also made it as far afield as Brazil, Italy, mid-seventies, it stagnated as tunes and beats IFrance, Portugal and the UK, is a captivat- lost out to the contemporary war-drawn mes- ing and energetic dance routine comprising sages of the times. traditional and modern moves. To enhance the “Post-independence, music became very diverse flavours of their dance, the girls also political, mirroring the situation in the country change their outfits to take them through the and talking about the war,” Rogério explains. ages, from batique print traditional dress to “As a result, the quality suffered.” sharp figure-hugging costumes. But in the late eighties, Angolan music Indeed, no discussion about Angolan started to re-emerge thanks to artists like music would be complete without mentioning Flores, Eduardo Paim and girl-band As Gingas the nation’s passion and talent for dancing. who were barely out of nappies when they Curfews during the war years effectively creat- burst on the scene. ed all-night house parties because they J O

Gersy Pegado, one of the founding mem- encouraged people to dance until dawn. S E

S I L bers of As Gingas, who was just three when she “We Angolans adore dancing – it’s almost V A

P I N

and her cousin performed the now legendary like a way of life. Now that the war is over, T O

42 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 43 Kuduru is edgy, raw and is the new vogue for Angolan youth, who find inspiration in its rhythms and sometimes controversial mes- sages. “Angolan kids love Kuduru. They buy the records and they love to dance to it even more,” says Rogério. “Dog Murras is the biggest Kuduru singer today. His lyrics are filled with social criticism and even people who don’t like his style of music listen to his songs because of the power of his messages. He sings about what the people want to hear,” she adds. Nelo Fonseca spends his Saturday nights touring the capital listening out for house or street parties where the blasting beat of Kuduru will be keeping the neighbours awake. “It’s not rock but it’s loud like rock,” the 22- year-old party animal explains. “It’s more for young people than some of the softer stuff like Semba and Kizomba. My mother hates it. But she loves to watch us kids dance to it,” says Fonseca. For many Angolans, as they explore their new post-war national identity, meaningful lyrics are as important as tuneful melodies and funky beats. “For me, the most important J O S

E thing about music is not to dance to it. It’s the

S I L V A

message in the song that is going to help P I N T

O increase our culture, society and sense of iden- tity,” says a Bonga fan. he has expressions that are unique to him,” Umbundu, the language spoken by the That explains in part the surge in popular- enthused a fan after one of his shows. “His Ovimbundu ethnic group that is dominant in ity in Angolan hip-hop as well as the perhaps tunes are very fast and lively. They’re fantastic the Huambo region, and believes traditional better-known variety imported from the if you feel like dancing, but great too if you just Angolan music could be bigger still. United States. “Angolan hip-hop, which want to listen. I love him!” “Unfortunately in Angola, people don’t emerged at the start of the 1990s, was greatly manage to make a living from music,” he said influenced by African-American rhythms. But Stuck in Luanda’s crazy, rush-hour traffic, in a recent newspaper interview. “National now we can really speak of Angolan hip-hop young Angolans leaning out of candongueiros, music, although of a good quality, continues to with its own local rhythms and themes,” says (taxi-buses), entertain frustrated motorists by be marginalised in relation to foreign music, Rogério. “The message is always very strong, blasting out hard, chunky Kuduru beats. namely Brazilian and Cape Verdian, which are whether the lyrics speak of love, war, sex, fabulously rewarded,” he explained. peace or social degradation.” The romantic ballads of Brazil may be a Be it slow and seductive or hard-hitting Peacetime is spawning new types of music big hit on the airwaves and in record shops, and controversial, Angolan music has moved as well as the rebirth of more traditional styles but their influence on Angolan music has been and grown with the times. As the country as a that struggled during the conflict. Music from limited as the persistent growth in home- whole rebuilds, and facilities like electricity Huambo, which has a distinctly southern grown talent shows. improve, it can only go from strength to African sound, is a perfect example, having While traditional styles have formed the strength. seen a rebirth in the last five years, thanks backbone of Angolan music, the country’s cul- “During 30 years of war we didn’t make as chiefly to artists like Irmãos Almeida, Bessa ture has not stopped moving with the times much music as we could have. Now we are a Teixeira and Chissica. and a younger generation is starting to make little behind. We have to catch up – we are The dreadlocked Aires Edson Castro its mark. growing every day and I have a good feeling Chissica, who sings about wartime memories Stuck in Luanda’s crazy, rush-hour traffic, about the future,” Flores concludes.

to help him overcome his grief, has even taken young Angolans leaning out of candongueiros, It seems that Angola – a country rich in oil L E I L E B his message abroad and last year performed at (taxi-buses), entertain frustrated motorists by and diamonds – also has other gems waiting to O D R

the Kora Festival in South Africa. He sings in blasting out hard, chunky Kuduru beats. be discovered. ❖ A C I R

44 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 45 EDUCATION B R I A N

S T A U F F E R

almost at its end. I have plans, I want to work friends, established extended families and Forced to leave in management and I want to do my best to have adapted to the local way of life. help my country develop. Now is a great time In Lisbon’s Quinta do Mocho district, during the years of to go back.” young Angolans hanging out with their friends conflict, many young Angola’s near 30 years of civil conflict talk of little else save going home, but the wrought havoc across the country, destroying older generation, and mothers in particular, Angolans who honed much of its infrastructure and health services feel settled in Portugal. their talents abroad as well as its education system. Talented young students were forced to look beyond their “I think the future of the country is in our are now eager to country’s borders for the best opportunities to Tale ent hands, because we have had the opportunity to study, and for this reason, many packed their h return to help rebuild live in other countries, to see the world in t bags and left, returning only for holidays and another way, in a way without war. family visits. n their country.

i Edna Livongue, law graduate, UAL Waiting Wings Edna Livongue, a law graduate who left her home in Luanda in 1994, and is now study- ing international relations at UAL explains: “Sometimes I feel I would like to go back, sk Emanuel Castro what he misses about Angola and the answer comes “Those who had the chance to leave Angola but really it’s better here. Certainly Angola is easily. “Everything,” says the 28-year-old management student, smiling did so, because of the war of course – but also much safer now, and it’s great to be able to go Awistfully. Taking sanctuary from the dry Portuguese heat in the library of because the education system was poor. It back for a visit but not to stay. Here we have the Universidade Autonoma de Lisboa, Castro is delighted to share his thoughts was a difficult and expensive life,” she says. jobs and a reasonable life,” Zegazizinha, a and feelings on the land of his birth. An estimated four million people fled mother of four reflects. Castro left his family in Luanda back in 1995, studying first in South Africa, Angola during the conflict years, most of them Sipping a Sunday afternoon beer in the where he learnt his impeccable English. He is now honing his business skills at to neighbouring countries or elsewhere in Caso dos Bicos café and pastry shop with UAL in the Portuguese capital. Africa. Some headed for the United States or friends from Angola and other former But like many Angolans living abroad, Castro is champing at the bit to go culturally-close Brazil, while others made for Portuguese colonies, she claps her hands with back home. Tall, dignified, and looking every inch the efficient executive, he Europe and the former colonial power, delight when familiar Luanda landmarks like can’t wait to make plans once his final exams are over. Portugal. São Paulo and Sagrada Familia come up in “Of course I will go back to Angola as soon as possible,” he says, a little sur- Many Angolans have now put down roots conversation. prised by such an obvious question. “Maybe even this year because my course is in their new homes. They have made new “Not a day goes by when I don’t think

46 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 47 CONFIDENT: about Angola, but for me and my family, return and reinforce the view that, for useful and that I can make my own contri- now that Angola is under reconstruction, Business management our home is now in Portugal,” she says. skilled and enthusiastic graduates like bution to Angola. That is important for we need this kind of knowledge to rebuild student, Anuines Lacerda looks forward to a bright However, the educated 20-somethings themselves, their country offers excellent me. Angola has a future, it’s going to get the country. I want to be part of that,” he future back in his native can see a wealth of opportunity back on career opportunities. better.” reveals. Angola. their native soil now that Angola is enjoying But perhaps more importantly, this None of the students is under any illu- The students are raring to go, eager to its third year of peace and is suffused by a fuels their burning desire to play a central sion that Angola will be rebuilt overnight. bring their knowledge back home and use sense of optimism and rebirth. role in rebuilding and modernising their They know they are in for a long slog to get it to give their country a new beginning. “As soon as I finish I’m going back to homeland. the country back on its feet. But it is a task As Castro puts it: “I can bring hope Angola. That’s what I’ve been working “I feel that responsibility. Everyone they relish. and I can bring experience from another towards,” says Anuines Lacerda, a business who is outside Angola feels that way,” says These business people, diplomats and country. I can bring a fresh mind, a new management student. Livongue. “I think the future of the country lawyers of Angola’s future may be learning perspective and a willingness to do “First, I’ve got to go to London to per- is in our hands, because we have had the their trades abroad, but the passion of this things.” fect my English, but when I’m qualified I’ll opportunity to live in other countries, to go back and find a good job,” he adds confi- see the world in another way, in a way “I can bring hope and I can bring experience from another dently. without war. Lacerda, who serves breakfast at a cen- “It’s not only because of the courses country. I can bring a fresh mind, a new perspective and a tral Lisbon hotel to earn some pocket we are doing, although naturally we hope willingness to do things.” money and practice his rapidly improving they will help, but it’s also about what we Emanuel Castro, management student, UAL language skills, is typical of many young learn from other people, it’s about know- Angolans abroad. Diligent, friendly and full ing that life can be different and that southwest African country and its start on “Our country is still like a child – it of hope, he is bursting with ambition for people can change.” the long road to recovery is a powerful needs help from people who know better, both himself and his country. For Ivo Bige, a law student at Lisbon’s magnet, forcing the brain drain to flow in it needs to learn, it needs to be fed and it Most students eagerly follow all kinds Catholic University, helping to improve reverse. needs to grow. It needs people who want of news about Angola on television and Angola’s legal system would not only be a Lacerda, who swaps his hotelier uni- to invest, it needs people with capital and keep the saudade (a longing) for home at challenge and a vital cog in the wheel of form for a smart business suit on college good ideas. bay by getting together socially, often meet- reconstruction, but also the realisation of a days, says going back home is not just “I’ve been speaking with lots of people ing at each others homes to enjoy a bowl of boyhood aspiration. about getting a good, well-paid job for and they all feel the same. They want to go funge, a traditional dish made from corn or “I want to be a judge in Angola. This is himself. It is also about passing on knowl- back and help. That is fortunate because manioca, and dance the night away to the a dream I had when I was a child and it’s edge to those who have not had such this is not something we can do alone. seductive kizomba rhythms, ever popular very close to coming true. Every country grand opportunities. Each one of us – each and every Angolan – back home. needs justice – Angola too,” says the young “I want to run my own business but has to play his or her part. Only then will These continued close links with home man from Uige province. also be involved in education. I think it’s things change.” ❖ only serve to strengthen the resolve to “I want to be useful. I know I can be very important to teach business because

back to his native Huambo. “I spent most of wake up,” he adds pensively. Back in the city, birds twitter in the peace- that he has yet to shed. Despite the years “This is my cousin Adolfo who is also the NOSTALGIC RETURN my formative years in Europe and I feel a bit A two-hour drive into Huambo’s lush ful calm of Sao Pedro cemetery where Jamba’s apart, the family bond is as strong as ever and son of Sousa Jamba,” he explains, standing in a European. There is certainly a side to me countryside takes Jamba to Dondi mission father is buried. He has directions to the grave a feeling of happiness at being together again small clearing in front of his cousin’s home. Nearly three decades after the start of which is a bit English,” he says, laughing. where he was born 39 years ago. but an hour of looking for it provides him with seems to fill the whole house. Another cousin breaks into a wail at the Angola’s civil war marked the beginning of nov- Angola is now enjoying its third year of Pointing to the red brick remains of a hos- no answers. sight of the man who shares her father’s name elist Sousa Jamba’s journey into exile, he has peace after the war which saw the provincial pital which is obscured by overgrown grass, “It hasn’t been a wasted journey,” says OVIMBUNDU and the two lead Jamba up a small footpath to returned to his birthplace. The bitter-sweet capital, also called Huambo, hit particularly Jamba laments the state it is in. “Everything is Jamba. “I made the homage, I made the effort The ultimate homecoming for Jamba is vis- see the remains of his uncle’s home. trip reveals a homeland that has changed in a hard. Reconstruction of the city is already in in ruins. This is the hospital I was born in. I and I think for my own peace I’ve tried my iting his father’s village, Manico which in the “This is my uncle Sousa’s house,” Jamba way he never imagined in all his years of full swing and its once buoyant agricultural sec- always imagined that it would be this amazingly best.” Several family reunions make up for the tradition of his Ovimbundu ethnic group, iden- says as his cousins sob with joy. “They just feel absence. tor is also experiencing a great revival. But not great thing,” he says, vowing to rebuild it and disappointments. tifies the place he really comes from. that my uncle has come back, that he’s not Because of the conflict, Jamba, who hails everything Jamba finds here matches up to his the rest of the crumbling mission. Jamba’s long lost brother Augusto who was “Here I am in the land of my roots,” Jamba dead and that I represent him. This is why from a prominent family with links to the for- expectations. presumed dead has turned up in Huambo. The explains as the 4-wheel drive negotiates a everyone is weeping,” he adds. mer UNITA rebel movement, fled the central “It’s certainly not the town that I imagined DIASPORA siblings meet at their Aunt Helena’s house for bumpy dirt track. The last leg of the journey to After more tears, family photos and prom- province of Huambo to neighbouring Zambia as a child. Everything seems so much smaller. I After decades away, Jamba is well estab- the first time in years and start piecing togeth- Manico, which is concealed by swathes of ises to return soon, Jamba’s relatives when he was only ten years old. He spent the always imagined this as being very green and lished outside Angola, but the thing closest to er their histories – together and apart. banana and mango trees, is on foot. reluctantly let him leave the village. next years growing up in London, returning with lawns and so on,” Jamba says, taking an his heart – home – has remained the central “Fortunately Augusto, turned up about two The visit is all the more significant because “Tonight I’ll be able to sleep peacefully and only once for a year when he was 17. afternoon stroll down one of the city’s wide theme in his two novels and regular newspaper days ago which is really wonderful,” says Jamba is named after his father’s elder brother I’ll be able to say to my daughters ‘little girls, Dressed in a safari hat, royal blue shirt and boulevards. contributions. Like many people from Angola’s Jamba, his arm around his brother’s shoulder. who was also from here. Arriving at the home Daddy has been back to his roots’. I’ve been to flak-jacket, Jamba is sitting in Luanda’s airport, “I almost feel like I’ve landed in a foreign vast diaspora, he shares a desire to get his Jamba blushes as Aunt Helena raves about of his uncle’s children, Jamba introduces him- my roots now,” he says on the drive back to waiting to board the plane that will take him country somewhere. I’m wondering when I’ll country back on its feet. his intelligence and jokes about the puppy fat self to one of his cousins. the city.

48 SONANGOL UNIVERSO END NO TE

Homeward Bound After years of exile, Angolans return to their towns & villages Three years after the end of the civil war, Angolans are coming home. By the time the peace accord to bring hostilities to a close was signed in 2002, an estimated 441,000 had crossed Angola’s borders to neighbouring countries as refugees. Of these, some 250,000 are now thought to have returned home by various means, the UNHCR and organisations, such as IOM (International Organisation for Migration) having assisted approximately 150,000 on airlifts and convoys. Around 200,000 are still waiting, but these numbers are a fraction of the estimated four million who were internally displaced. Whatever the starting point of their perilous passage through the deadly countryside – often seeded with landmines and other unexploded ordnance – all are driven by the compul- sion to experience once again the familiar sights and sounds of their former communities. It will be a pleasure spiced by the cruel events of the recent past. Many will have attend- ed courses on landmines – and will have been given HIV-Aids awareness instruction. And after the excitement of renewing ties of kinship, the real struggle begins. Refugee families receive basic equipment: farming implements and seeds to grow crops; plastic sheet- ing, kitchen equipment, blankets and enough food for six months to nurture family life. This massive tide is a mingling of fear and optimism, of joy and apprehension; and as for all homecomers, it is fired by determination and the unquenchable hope for a better life.

50 SONANGOL UNIVERSO WINTER 2004 51