DECEMBER 2010 Rail revival Shanghai Expo reunites Angola Angola delights accelerating growth Sonangol celebrates INSIDE: oil and gas news Art attack Luanda Triennial enchants Luanda Triennial Universo

SONANGOL UNIVERSO ISSUE 28 – DECEMBER 2010 SU28-cover:Layout 1 29/11/10 19:36 Page 1 Page 19:36 29/11/10 1 SU28-cover:Layout SU28.contents.pp2-3:SU25 1/12/10 11:13 Page 2

CONTENTS

Universo is the international 30 16 46 magazine of Sonangol Inside this issue

Board Members ecember’s issue illustrates well Manuel Vicente (President), some of the dynamic develop- Anabela Fonseca, Mateus de Brito, Dments possible since the Fernando Roberto, Francisco de Lemos, establishment of Angola’s peace in Baptista Sumbe, Sebastião Gaspar Martins 2002. Nowhere is this clearer than with Sonangol Department for the railway system. The Luanda line is Communication & Image now completely rebuilt and ready for Director service. Two more railways, including João Rosa Santos the potentially trans-Africa Benguela line, will follow within two years. Corporate Communications Another peace dividend examined Assistants Nadiejda Santos, Lúcio Santos, in the December issue is Luanda’s Cristina Novaes, José Mota, triennial art event, which is now firmly Beatriz Silva, Paula Almeida, part of Angola’s cultural calendar. Sandra Teixeira, Marta Sousa Universo also provides an Peter Moeller overview of Sonangol's development Publisher and key investment projects as its 35th Jonathan Browning 36 40 Sheila O’Callaghan anniversary approaches. Editor Combining business with pleas- John Kolodziejski ure, we attend Angola Day at the 2010 Art Director Shanghai Expo, where Angola em- David Gould ployed its art and culture to showcase Sub Editor its attraction as a trade and investment Ron Gribble partner. Advertising Design Bernd Wojtczack Circulation Manager Matthew Alexander Project Consultants 6 Nathalie MacCarthy Kamene M Traça Kamene M Traça Mauro Perillo Group President 4 Angola news briefing 6 Ticket to ride 26 Angola woos investors Sonangol News John Charles Gasser Angola backs Guinea-Bissau’s peace Angola’s rail network revival revs Angolan artists took the stage at bid; Plans to spend $18 billion in up with the first test runs on the Shanghai Expo’s Angola Day cele- Universo is produced by Impact Media power system; US airline Delta to fly entirely rebuilt Luanda-Malange bration, providing a memorable Custom Publishing. The views expressed in 34 Sonangol 46 Happy birthday the publication are not necessarily those of to Luanda direct in 2011; Angola’s line. Two more east-west lines are musical soundtrack to the country’s news briefing Sonangol Cape Verde Sonangol or the publishers. Reproduction in men’s basketball team makes last 16 also well on their way to comple- efforts to promote greater trade and The company’s diverse portfolio whole or in part without prior permission is of World Championship; IMF heaps tion. investment, especially with China, 36 Sonangol’s celebrates in the prospering island nation prohibited. praise on Angola’s economic stabil- its largest trading partner. Universo looks back at the 10 years on This magazine is distributed to a closed ity programme; Angola rebuilds 16 Art attack company’s milestones and circulation. To receive a free copy: 5,000 kilometres of roads; $100 mil- Luanda’s triennial arts exhibition is major investments ahead of the 50 Inside Angola [email protected] lion business park plan for Luanda. currently offering a multimedia 26 February 2011 celebrations A serene beauty spot south of Circulation: 17,000 experience aimed at raising the Luanda 5 Figured out capital’s spirit and sensibilities. 40 Sonangol’s produc- A brief glance at Angola in tion director talks numbers. An interview with Ruben Costa Davenport House 16 Pepper Street, London E14 9RP Tel + 44 20 7510 9595 Fax +44 20 7510 9596 [email protected]

Cover: Photolibrary Jonathan Browning

2 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 3 SU28.Angola News.pp4-5:SU25 29/11/10 19:41 Page 4

Figured Angola news briefing out

A helping hand Final countdown million people will benefit from the Angola has held out the hand of friendship to Angola’s men’s basketball team was the government’s Water for support crisis-stricken Guinea-Bissau. As only African team to make it to the final 16 All scheme by 2012 well as sending a team of police and military of the World Championship in Turkey, after experts to help reshape the armed forces beating Jordan and Germany in the group and security services, Angola has pledged stages. However, Luis Magalhães’ team $30 million to aid this process. was unable to overcome the might of the George Chicoty, Secretary of State for For- United States, who came out 121-66 win- 3 eign Affairs, said Angola wanted to do all it ners, putting Angola out of the tournament. could to help bring stability to the country Forward Olimpio Cipriano, who plays for which has been dogged by military uprisings Angolan club Recreativo e Desportivo do and violent drug gangs who use the Libolo, was the team’s top scorer with an $1.255 islands as a trafficking point between average of 14.8 points per game. Small billion of private investment made Europe and Latin America. “We want to forward Joaquim “Kikas” Gomes, of outside of the oil sector in Angola in change the situation in Guinea-Bissau,” Luanda’s Primeiro de Agosto, was second the first quarter of 2010 he said. with 13.2 points.

Carlos Gomes Júnior, Guinea-Bissau’s Getty Images prime minister, visited Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos in September to IMF praise thank him for his support and to appeal to The International Monetary Fund Angolan businesses to invest in his country. (IMF) has praised Angola for its As president of the Community of Por- economic stabilisation programme and tuguese Language Countries (CPLP), Angola welcomed plans to set up a sovereign 5.4%public sector salary increase for 2011 has a mandate to help find solutions for wealth fund. “The macroeconomic situa- Guinea-Bissau. President Dos Santos said: tion continues to improve and reforms are “It’s important that the CPLP grows harmo- beginning to bear fruit,” said Murilo Portu- niously, taking care that all of its members gal, the fund’s deputy managing director. feel fully integrated and are in conditions of Following the IMF’s latest review visit to Carlos Gomes Junior, Guinea- peace, stability and democracy.” Angola, the board is to release $353 mil- Bissau’s Prime Minister AFP/Getty Images lion of the overall $1.4 billion of loans 7,500 agreed in November 2009. Although on the kilometres of roads to be rebuilt in

US airlink iStockphoto path to economic recovery, the high levels Angola by 2013 Delta Air Lines has con- Powering up of domestic debt have led Angola to revise firmed that it will begin serv- Angola will spend $18 billion over the next six years Highway rebuilding its 2009 growth trajectory to 5-6 per cent, ices from Luanda to Atlanta in to help end electricity shortages. There will be no More than 5,000 kilometres of roads were down from an earlier forecast of 6.7 per January 2011. The long-awaited more power cuts at the end of this period, Minister rebuilt in Angola between 2008 and 2009 cent. air link will see the first scheduled of State Carlos Maria da Silva Feijó said. under the National Reconstruction pro- 1,887 flights between Angola and the “By 2015 or 2016 we could have our energy gramme. New business park jobs created in the hotel industry in United States, and will signifi- problem solved,” he said, adding that the Ministry Joaquim Sebastião, director general of the A $100 million industrial park is being the last two years cantly reduce travel times. of Energy would soon be launching tenders for Angolan National Roads Institute (INEA), built in the Cacuaco suburb of north Flights will run three times a building new dams. There would also be separate said more than 7,500km would be rebuilt Luanda. It will have 53 warehouses, office week with an Airbus A330-200 investment in transmission lines and distribution between 2011 and 2013. Future construc- and accommodation blocks and a university flying via Dakar, Senegal. The new networks. tion programmes also included repairing and research laboratory. The site, known as Kaop route was made possible by the The money will come from a newly-created infra- rebuilding 1,400 bridges. Park, will also host several banking units, a signing of bilateral air agreements structure fund which will accrue the value of Sebastião gave assurances that some business advice centre, lecture hall, medical between Angola and the US ear- 100,000 barrels of oil per day. Dr Feijó said Angola construction work, held up because of centre and pharmacy, as well as restaurants. lier this year. Delta is also working 27.9million barrels of oil exported to would be producing 4,000 megawatts of electricity, delays in government payments to foreign Long-term, Kaop Park is forecast to create with Angolan carrier TAAG to sell China in August, making Angola its more than five times current output, within six firms, would begin again before the end of more than 3,000 jobs and will focus on help- space on the same flights at a top supplier years. the year. ing small businesses. The first phase is due future date. for completion by April 2011. iStockphoto

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TRAINS TICKET

TOAfter years of inactivity, Angola’s RIDE railways are back on track to serve cut-off communities and boost the fortunes of small farmers with produce to send to market. Universo was treated to a test run on the Luanda-Malange line ahead of its reopening later this year ➔ Pictures: Kamene M Traça

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TRAINS

New stations are hen we gathered at Baía Station sprouting along on the outskirts of Luanda the new lines W where the train awaited us, its giant diesel engine humming expectantly, it was still dark. A night chill hung in the air, but we were too excited to feel the cold – for this was only the second occasion in two decades on which the train was making the 424-km journey all the way to Malange. We were travelling as guests of the Luanda Railway Company or Caminho de Ferro de Luanda, commonly known as the CFL, which was making an inspection tour of the route, ahead of the planned reopen- ing to traffic by the end of the year. Climbing on board just before 6am, we stowed our luggage, took our seats and then with a sharp toot and big chug, we were off. Day had broken by the time we reached our first stop at Catete, the birth- place of Angola’s first president, Agostinho Neto. Here we were able to have a good look at the impressive glass-fronted station. The new building has two floors with a large 21st-century open waiting area as well as several corri- interiors dors of offices and administration rooms. The giant white letters spelling out CATETE can be seen for miles around. Ending isolation This and the other 15 stations, along with the new track and repositioned platforms, have been built by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). Trains have been running along the CFL across the eastern suburbs of Luanda for several years, offering a vital alternative to overcrowded roads, but only now has the full length of the route through to Malange become fit for operations. The restoration of the service is being Mural remembers hailed as a major accomplishment for steam past Angola’s post-war reconstruction, recon- necting many rural communities that have been cut off from the railway for years. As the sun rose and the train rolled on, we were given a warm welcome. On approaching each station, groups of excited children ran onto the platforms chanting “comboio, comboio”, the Portuguese word for train. “I’m very happy to see the train today because it’s been nearly 20 years since I 

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TRAINS TRAINS

We need this Step inside train. Our land is Expresso class producing a lot. We “have plenty of cas- sava as well as potatoes. The train will help us transport our goods to Luanda so that we can sell Teresa can now take produce to market Teresa Manuel them Jorge, Canhoca last saw it here,” said José Paulino Cardoso, to be much safer to travel by train than by the soba, or traditional chief, of the rural minibus taxi,” said labourer João Domin- village of Canhoca, roughly one third of the gos, 36. “There are too many accidents on Agreeing with this sentiment, and way between Luanda and Malange. the roads. The train will offer us a quicker shared by many we spoke to along the way, Greeting us, local farmer Joaquim and safer alternative.” Angola’s Deputy Minister of Transport José Miguel, 29, enthused: “The people working João Kuvingua, who was travelling with the on the land here have not been able to get Peace train CFL delegation, said: “This train is a symbol their crops to the cities, but now with the For some, though, the return of the train is of Angola’s peace” and development, be- train we have a good thing. We are going to as symbolic as it is useful. One woman, who cause without peace it wouldn’t be possible Big, noisy and diesel, you can hear a Luanda railway train screens; while in Tramueis, the cheapest section, people produce more, and our community will had stopped to watch the train pull in at the to run this train.” approaching from a long way off. You can spot it clearly in have basic seating alongside standing areas. become more developed as a result.” small station of Luinha, said simply: “I am Pointing at the new track as we made the distance too because all the carriages are brightly Fares from Luanda to Malange are expected to cost from happy that the train is here because it one of many stops along our journey, the painted in the Angolan colours of red, black and yellow. around $25, according to CFL president Osvaldo Lobo do Market link means we are at peace.” deputy minister said: “This is what  Inside they are clean and modern with air conditioning, Nascimento, although no final decisions have yet been made Teresa Manuel Jorge, 48, also from Ca – toilets and a restaurant car. on ticket prices. nhoca, added: “We need this train. Our land Deputy transport minister Kuvingua There are three travel classes, the luxurious ‘Primeira’, The 424-km journey, linking 16 stations through four is producing a lot. We have plenty of cas- (left) and CFL president Nascimento (centre) the comfortable ‘Expresso’ and the more practical ‘Tra- provinces, is scheduled to take around eight hours. sava as well as potatoes. The train will help mueis’. Primeira boasts leather reclining seats, and each The reopening of the railway from Luanda to Malange, us transport our goods to Luanda so that passenger has an individual video screen; Expresso passen- originally built in 1909, will form part of the celebrations of we can sell them. We are very happy to see gers face each other and are able to view communal Angola’s 35 years of independence from Portugal. the train coming through here again after all these years.” Further along the route at N’dalatando, the capital of Kwanza Norte province, a large crowd gathered on both sides of the track to greet the train as it pulled into the station. “My mother has told me many stories about the train and how it used to be, but now I can see it for myself. I can’t wait to get on it and take a ride,” said 17-year-old Cas- tel Raimundo. Passenger well-being is another Train link will develop new markets

advantage of Angola’s rail revival. “It’s going PMP Global

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TRAINS TRAINS

Father and son enginemen Restoring the train will bring many benefits, not just to

Acácio senior Trains run in the Acácio family. and junior individuals but to our national economy, and we are António’s grandfather and father both worked for the Luanda Railway Com- very proud of that fact Lobo do Nascimento CFL president pany. He joined the company in 1975 just after Angola’s independence, and progress means. Before, the track had liter- the old structures, but most were beyond now his son is working for CFL as well. “ally sunk; there was nothing there. Now it repair. “It’s a shame,” he said, “but some “I’d always wanted to work on has been totally restored and is ready to be were just so degraded it was not possible. the railways, and my son too,” he used again. The train is really going to help They are, of course, an important memory explained. “I hope that my grandchil- a lot of Angolans, especially people from of how the railway used to be, and we want dren will follow us and be part of the the poorest areas, because it is the means ” to make a museum at Catete for everyone new generation with the CFL.” of transport which allows them to carry the to see what it used to be like.” The 57-year-old has been driving most at the lowest cost.” He said 175 new jobs had been created trains for 33 of his 35 years of service ahead of the full reopening of the line, and with the company. He is now in charge Day-trippers training was underway for the new staff of training the new drivers who will “We are proud of the line’s restoration, and working in all areas from ticket offices to operate the Luanda to Malange pas- I think that everyone in Angola, particularly track maintenance. senger service when it restarts later in this region, should be proud because Speaking at the end of the journey, this year. they have all helped make it happen in CFL is $350 million, and many Angolans which had involved countless stops at It was only natural that Antonio different ways,” he added. have been employed alongside the Chinese stations and pauses to inspect the track and should have been chosen to take Kuvingua also said the long-term plan workforce in constructing the new stations. signalling, Lobo do Nascimento said he was charge of the train on its full test trip. was to build a secondary track following a Most stations are modern and painted pleased with progress and hoped CFL “I am very proud; it is a great honour to straighter and more direct route from in bright pink and orange, with steel and inspectors would sign-off on construction be driving the train for the members of N’dalatando to Malange, but keep the orig- glass fronts and open-plan waiting rooms. work within weeks in preparation for the the board of the CFL,” he said. inal line which passes through the stunning In contrast, you can still see some of the old line’s relaunch. “I am also very happy that after all green landscape of Kwanza Norte and up brick colonial stations, now crumbling and “Restoring the train will bring many these years out of service, we are now the steep Morro do Binda for tourists and vandalised memories of a fading past. benefits,” he concluded, “not just to taking the train back to the day-trippers. CFL president Osvaldo Lobo do Nasci- individuals but to our national economy, people who so badly need this form of The estimated cost of rebuilding the mento said the plan was to restore some of and we are very proud of that fact.”  transport.” Remembering darker days in his career, Antonio recalled driving the train during Angola’s conflict, trans- porting troops and cargo to key logistical points. With the railways a major target for land-mines and am- bush attacks by rebels, every journey held a high risk of injury or death. “We would set off with our hearts in our hands, and we never knew when we would return,” he said. “Fortunately most of us made it back…although, of course, some didn’t. But now this is all behind us, and we have a new generation of trains and drivers to take the train into the future. “For me, being able to train the new drivers is a wonderful honour and gives me real professional satis- faction.” Skip Brown/National Geographic Society/Corbis

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CONGO

TRAINS

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Angola’s famous three Menongue bridge – CFM The Luanda Railway Company runs eastward out of Luanda, through the dry flat fields of Bengo with its striking forests of baobab trees, into the lush greenness of Kwanza Norte and up into the magical rolling hills and plains of Malange. At times the track runs right in front of homes, while at others it is in splendid isolation in the middle of deep-green Luanda-Malange banana plantations or with just a bare rock face for com- reopening end of 2010 pany. The CFL is the first of three train lines to come back into Luanda full service, and by the end of 2012, Angola hopes to have all of them fully operational again for freight and passengers. N'dalatando The Benguela Railway (CFB) is the longest railroad in An- Catete Malange gola, stretching 1,344-km from the port city of Luinha Lobito on the Atlantic coast over to the small town of Luau, on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A small stretch of track is in use between Lobito and (CFM) will connect Namibe on the coast to Lubango on the Cubal in Huambo province, but the plan is to extend passen- Huila plateau, then on to Menongue in Kuando Kubango Luau ger services to Huambo city by early 2011. province. In the very south of the country, the Moçâmedes Railway ATLANTIC Benguela-Luau Majestic baobabs ornament reopening by end of 2012 Angola’s countryside OCEAN (to Huambo by end of 2011) Luena Lobito Benguela Huambo Kuito Cubal

Menongue Lubango Matala ZAMBIA Namibe Namibe-Menongue reopening by end of 2012

NAMIBIA iStockphoto ANGOLA National capital International boundary 0 50 100 150 200 km DECEMBER 2010 15 Provincial capital Provincial boundary 0 50 100 150 mi Town, village SU28.Trienal.pp16-25:SU27 29/11/10 21:46 Page 16

ART TRIENNIAL - ART ATTACK Luanda’s second arts festival, Trienal de Luanda, is underway, providing a season of multimedia emotional experiences aimed at arousing public artistic awareness. Universo prowled the venues ➔ Photolibrary

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he 2010 Luanda Triennial, the three- month-long contemporary arts Tfeast, has taken over Angola’s capital with four permanent exhibitions and a newly-restored cinema hosting different events every night. The free event launched in mid-Sep- tember to a top-level audience which included the Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva, and the Governor of Luanda, Francisca do Espírito Santo. The theme of the triennial is “Emo- tional Geographies: Art and Effects”. Fernando Alvim, director of the Sindika Dokolo Foundation which organ- ised and funded the event to the tune of $2 million, explained that it was very much about the city of Luanda – not just located within it. Hybrid city “This is a triennial which has emerged from performances as well as an exhibition of “Through this triennial we want the the experience of Luanda, all the metamor- ancient African masks. artist to be a form of alchemist. It’s the idea phoses that we have in this very hybrid city, Alvim describes the triennial as “a that they can reflect on art in a new space Artist Kamene M Traça linked to its history and past,” he said. cultural movement” where the idea is to and create more autonomy, be it in thought and model Nayma Black-and-white portraits, pictures of create “a platform so that the artist can dis- or action,” explained Alvim, who is himself men in drag, acoustic music, video art, play his or her artistic experiences without an artist. cinema, contemporary dance, and fashion being conditioned by the art system”. There are seven visual exhibitions and theatre are just some of the dishes Or, put simply, he wants the festival to including African photography, Angolan being served up at this year’s event, featur- show artists and their work as themselves architecture and Angolan video, each ing more than 100 artists, debates on and not shaped in the context of a themed running for several weeks at a time across architecture and aesthetics, and street or curated exhibition. the four main gallery spaces. One of them is at the Cine Nacional, Fernando Alvim which has just had a refurbishment costing triennial organiser almost $1 million and will host daily events ranging from live music, dance and theatre performances to film showings, comedy and lectures. “This is really a legacy for the post-triennial,” said Marita Silva, the event project co-ordinator. “It was restored not just for the triennial but for the city of Luanda.” There is also an education programme involving 70,000 schoolchildren in the cap- ital, and a series of television programmes on the triennial with the participation of the artists. These will be shown on Angolan TV in a bid to contact a wider audience. An inspiration While many of the Angolan artists taking part are using Luanda as their inspiration, Kiluanji Kia Henda, for example, with his Sleek new venue: the

Pictures: Kamene M Traça “Versus Carnival” photographs, subverts  Milennium gallery

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ART ART

Paulo Azevedo – Video artist There is also a special exhibition of photographs about Angolans living in Salvador in Brazil as well as a display of ancient masks from the Chokwe kingdom in eastern Angola

the themes of the city’s annual street parade. There are also many international artists on the roll call. Among them are star names such as British/Nigerian Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili, controversial South African Kendell Geer, Ethiopian-Swiss Loulou Cherinet, New York-based Egyptian Ghada Amer; Abdoulaye Konaté and Seydou Keita from Mali, Nigeria’s Yinka Shonibare and Samuel Fosso from Cameroon. Left to right: Francisca do Espírito There is also a special exhibition of Santo, Fernando Alvim, Rosa Cruz e Silva, Bornito de Sousa photographs about Angolans living in “Everything starts with art, even a car, as it needs to be de- Downtown Luanda Salvador in Brazil, as well as a display of signed before it can be made. Art gives a lot to people and it through Paulo’s lens ancient masks from the Chokwe kingdom also helps us reflect and philosophise. Every society needs in eastern Angola. art to give a balance, to help people see life and to see the The first triennial was held three years light in the corner.” ago to much critical acclaim, putting the Paulo Azevedo is a photographer and video artist and one Sindika Dokolo Foundation firmly on the of the many Angolans who, after a lengthy spell abroad contemporary art map, and leading to well- during the conflict years, are now back home to share the attended shows in France, Italy and Brazil. fruits of peace. Some of the works on show belong to The 36-year-old has a number of pictures in the triennial, Dokolo’s private collection, said to be one but his main role has been to film interviews with the other of the biggest of contemporary African art artists involved and document on camera the event’s buildup in the world. Others have been brought to and preparation. Luanda especially for the occasion. With camera still firmly in hand on the opening night, Paulo Angolan actor and playwright Orlando has taken his job seriously. His programmes will be broad- Sergio, who during the triennial is staging cast on Angolan television during the festival with a view to his comedy Armed Robbery and taking part engaging a wider audience and attracting more people to the in a public debate at Cine Nacional, said the exhibitions. arts festival brought a new dimension to Angola’s cultural scene. 

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ART ART

“There are not many exhibitions of art and photography in Angola. This is a Mussorongo unique opportunity for the artists taking part and also for the public to see their work. We hope the triennial will bring cura- tors and experts to Luanda to see the work on show,” said Sergio. “It is hard for Angolan artists to have that exchange with other countries, even in Africa, because travel is difficult and com- munications hard. This is a big chance to create more knowledge of what Angola has to offer.” Soul space In a city with just a handful of galleries, the triennial cer- tainly offers a rare chance for cultural immersion for residents and visitors alike. Event director Alvim said he wanted to create “spaces where people Kiluanji Kia Henda – Photo artist on a Sunday afternoon or at the end of a day, can go into an exhibition. Art is proba- Kiluanji Kia Henda is a self-taught and turned them around. bly the only space today that permits us to photographic artist who got his “Carnival is very colourful, so my have a space for the soul, a space that big break at the 2007 triennial. picture is black and white; carnival allows people to reflect on their existence Aged 31, he is now a star in involves lots of people, so I have just and their relations with the world.” Angolan contemporary art circles, one person; carnival is on the street Making all the events free of charge having exhibited in France, at in public, this was done in a private was key to this concept of inclusivity, Alvim the Venice Biennial and, more studio. It’s about subverting the said, and he hoped this would attract more recently, at the São Paulo Biennial carnival concepts, that’s why I have people to the exhibitions. During the trien- in Brazil. called it Versus Carnival,” said nial, the four fixed sites will show 400 pieces One of Kiluanji’s most eye- Kiluanji. of work. catching pictures is “Mus- Like many Angolan artists, Alvim is also very excited about plans sorongo” depicting a black man Kiluanji has a lot to gain from the to paint billboards across the city. “There on a white background, bent for- triennial. “It’s a moment for me to will be more than 400 large-scale images,” ward and with a wide-eyed ex- show my work to people who he said. “People just crossing the city have pression. understand the context of what I’m already started to see on an aesthetic level “The Mussorongo tribe comes working on. I personally grew a lot everything linked to the triennial.” from the north of Angola but it is from the first triennial.” Asked what the 2010 triennial will do also a word we use here in Kiluanji, who works out of a small for Angola, Alvim referred back to 2007. Luanda to describe someone who studio in Hotel Globo, down the “After the first triennial, we had many finds things difficult to under- corridor from the offices of the artists who had been working but not had stand or who gets really angry,” Sindika Dokolo Foundation where space to show their work. The event created the artist explained. some of his work will be on display, a platform for them, and some have gone The picture is part of a series said he was also happy to be able to on to take part in international shows. of six based on Luanda’s annual appreciate the work of other artists. “In terms of benefits to the country, street carnival called “Versus “It is an opportunity to have some we can’t compare it to something like Carnival”. “There are many pho- good contemporary art here in the Africa Cup of Nations football tourna- tographers who work on carnival Luanda, something we don’t see ment which Angola hosted earlier this year; already and I didn’t just want to very often. Now we can have the big it is a long-term impact which is less repeat this,” he said, “so I took names of the African and interna- instantly visible. In culture we work for the the basic elements of carnival tional art scene here in our city.” Kiluanji Kia Henda future generations.” 

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ART

Photos by Cameroon’s Samuel Fosso

Binelde Hycran Semedo Tavares – Multi-media man

Luanda, Los Angeles, Monaco, UK, France, Spain and Portu- Seydou Keita. These are important works and they are gal…there are plenty of influences in Hycran’s work, but what here, in Luanda, because of the Sindika Dokolo Founda- he wants most of all is to understand and portray his birth- tion.” place, Luanda. Full of praise for director Fernando Alvim and the foun- In his three-minute video, which he filmed on the Ilha using dation, Hycran said it was a “dream” for him to take part in a group of boys who had never acted before, Hycran wanted the 2010 triennial. to prove reality is art but that art is also reality. Aged 28, he moved to France in 1998 and studied art in Future art hub Monaco, a growing hub for edgy contemporary art. His recent “Luanda is going to be a famous place for people to come projects have included making a chair from an old computer and see art in the future. I really believe that,” said Hycran. keyboard and designing a Ladurée macaroon, a luxury “People here love new things and change: we were at Parisian pastry, like an oil barrel (“to represent the ultimate war for 27 years, so now we want to go on, grow up, commodity”, he explained). change, move forward, and be high. We were hidden, but He has also dabbled in some street art, earlier this year this is our time. Angola has a time and it is now. sitting in a cage in Monaco and asking people to move him “In five or ten years, Angola is going to be an art desti- around. nation like Venice or Paris because here we have great “We have works on show here from many other countries artists such as Fernando and Kiluanji and many others, so in Africa; pictures from people such as Yinka Shonibare and we must just wait.”

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2010 EXPO SHANGHAI CHINA

ANGOLA WOOS INVESTORS A special Angola Day programme capped the country’s participation in the 2010 Shanghai Expo, stylishly showcasing Angola and its investment prospects. Universo saw the highlights ➔ Jonathan Browning Pictures:

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2010 EXPO SHANGHAI CHINA EXPO 2010

mix of vibrant dance and music Strutting their stuff: Sónia Cunha and provided the background as the Welwitschias AAngolan representatives delivered a clear message on the country’s openness to foreign investment. And a kaleidoscope of artistic performances in front of Chinese and Angolan authorities celebrated the ties between the two countries, displaying, Angola’s cultural diversity. Flagging up opportunities Angola Day began with the hoisting of the country’s flag over the Expo site, perched on the banks of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai, opposite the city’s famous stock exchange. Angolan Vice-President Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos then addressed the audience, urging Chinese officials and businessmen to invest in Angola, stating that the country represented a “safe and stable” environment for foreign companies. Underlining the significance of the economic, fiscal and social reforms under- way in Angola, he said the measures were internationally accepted as necessary steps towards creating a more stable and sustain- able macroeconomic environment. “We are counting on our several part- ners, domestic and foreign, and especially the People’s Republic of China which has co-operated with Angola’s development and reconstruction through its banks and companies,” he said. Artistic talent, cultural colour The programme for this special day was organised by the Angolan National Com- mittee for the Expo. An impressive lineup of Angolan artistic talent brought local colour to the cultural part of the event. The Fernando da Piedade Dodó Miranda, Margareth do The Kilandukilo Rosário, Gingas, Euclides star-studded cast included names well Dias dos Santos, Vice president Bumba and Welwitschias known in the Angolan cultural scene, such as Bruno M, Margareth do Rosário, Kilandukilo, Yuri Cunha, Bonga, Danny-L and Nanutu. In the main hall at the Expo Centre – specially designed for official ceremonies – Angolan artists put on captivating perform- ances featuring Angolan rhythms and dances. Members of the dance troupe Welwitschias twirled around the stage 

28 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 29 SU28.Expo.pp26-33:SU27 29/11/10 21:42 Page 30

ART ATTACK 2010 EXPO SHANGHAI CHINA

Wang Changshun, vice minister for Civil Aviation

João Rosa Santos, Sonangol’s communications director

This is an excellent chance to expand the connec- tion between our countries João Rosa Santos, head of Sonangol communications

while the audience watched transfixed. was shown around the Angolan pavilion by per cent more than in the same period the They were followed by the Kilandukilo Vice President Dias dos Santos. previous year, as the Chinese economy con- folklore group. Dressed in traditional tribal China has become Angola’s biggest tinued to recover strongly from the global “costumes, they danced to the sound of trading partner and is a key player in the financial crisis. instruments such as the djembé and reconstruction of the country. Since 2004, João Rosa Santos, head of Sonangol’s reco-reco, and waved decorative weapons, China’s Export-Import Bank” has extended department of communication, said that much to the delight of Chinese members over $4 billion in oil-backed loans, most of China had become an exceptional partner of the audience who enjoyed the sponta- it to finance infrastructure projects in and that Angola’s presence at the Expo neous and uninhibited nature of the Angola. In addition, Angola secured three represented a unique opportunity to performance. credit lines with China at the end of last further those ties. “This is an excellent chance year amounting to $10 billion, according to to expand the connection between our coun- Biggest investment the World Bank. tries,” he said. partner Rosa Santos added that Sonangol, as The considerable effort that went into the Sonangol: key to Angola’s biggest oil company, has taken a show underlined the huge importance that China trade leadership role in the commercial exchanges. China has begun to take on for Angola over Angola is central to China’s growing energy China is the second-largest oil consumer the last decade. demands and Sonangol is a strategic player in the world after the United States, and its “The growing trust within our bilateral in that relationship, since Angola’s main demand is still growing rapidly. The Interna- relations has continued to develop and our export to China is oil. According to the tional Energy Agency forecasts China’s oil co-operation has been rewarded with Chinese National Bureau of Statistics, in the imports will reach over 13 million barrels per success in every sector [in which China has first half of 2010 Angola was China’s largest day (bpd) by 2030, from 3.5 million bpd in invested]”, said Wang Changshun, source of imported crude oil. Imports 2006. Even though a big chunk of its oil im- China’s vice minister for Civil Aviation, who reached nearly 22 million metric tons, 76 ports come from the Middle East, the 

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2010 EXPO SHANGHAI CHINA 2010 EXPO SHANGHAI CHINA

Matos Cardoso, Head of Angola’s The relationship 4-D experience: Shanghai business forum trip to Angola between China and Angola has “evolved rapidly, allowing for an increasing num- ber of projects focused on a better quality of living country is seeking to import more from presence at the next International Fair in Africa. As a result of such booming busi- Luanda will be strong, demonstrating that in our country ness, the subsidiary China-Sonangol was the country’s efforts at the Expo were established in 2004 with offices in Beijing. paying off, said Cardoso. Matos Cardoso, head of the business forum “Sonangol is at the centre of China-An- gola relations,” said Matos Cardoso, head of Sustainable 1.7 million people trained as volunteers to the Angolan business forum in Shanghai. It development assist visitors. The investment made in the represents the model business in our At the heart of the Expo is the idea of Expo site alone is estimated at $4.2 billion. market, and its partnership with China sustainable development, embodied by its Élio Gambôa, director of the Angolan helps the advance of other sectors and theme “Better City, Better Life”. As it draws pavilion, stressed that the purpose” of the companies. As a result, it has the ability to to a close, Expo is expected to surpass the country’s representation was to present the boost the Angolan economy as a whole.” 70 million visitors initially forecast by the Chinese with a rich, multifaceted portrait of Chinese government. a new Angola, full of business potential, as Stepping up Local and central governments well as an exciting tourist destination. the pace invested heavily in improving Shanghai’s In the pavilion, a collection of images In an effort to capitalise on the trade infrastructure, extending underground and sounds reflected the country’s identity. terrain seen on the screen. The film showed momentum between the two countries, train lines and expanding other transport This started with the 4-D experience, a 3-D Angola’s famous attractions, such as the Angola-China trade growth Angolan businessmen and government links to the new Expo site. Over 4,000 new film watched in a cinema with the seats of Kalandula Falls and Mussulo Beach. Trade between China and Angola has developed at a breakneck pace. Bilateral officials organised an Angolan business taxicabs were added to the city’s fleet and the audience moving according to the The Angolan pavilion also showcased trade did not exceed $700 million in a single year during the 1990s, but trade vol- forum in Shanghai soon after Angola Day. some of the country’s other attractions, ume grew rapidly in the first decade of this century, reaching nearly $7 billion in Stamp of approval: The forum was an ideal opportunity to including pictures of the prehistoric cave 2005. In the following year, Angola became China’s biggest partner in Africa, passport to Angola spread more information on the invest- paintings found in the south of Angola and a with bilateral trade rising to $12 billion, and expansion has continued sharply ment prospects in Angola for Chinese replica of the portico of the 15th-century since then. companies. Kulumbimbi Cathedral. “The relationship between China and By Angola Day in late September, the Angola has evolved rapidly, allowing for an number of visitors to the pavilion had increasing number of projects focused on a exceeded 56 million, demonstrating the better quality of life in our country,” said strong interest among Chinese visitors, some Matos Cardoso. of whom queued for over an hour. As in Chinese investment in the country has the other 190 pavilions, after leaving the been a major force behind the growth of Angolan display visitors proudly Angolan industry, as well as its infrastruc- collected a “visa” stamp on their Shanghai ture sector, he said. “The improvement in Expo passport, showing they had been to An- infrastructure leads to a rise in domestic gola. and agricultural output and, as a conse- The Angolan authorities hope that some quence, to better social conditions.” As a of the visitors will be tempted to get a real

result of the events in Shanghai, Chinese visa and spend some time in the country.  iStockphoto

32 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 33 SU28.Sonangol News.pp34-35:SU24 29/11/10 21:46 Page 34

Sonangol news briefing NEWS

New discovery Rig safety Angola’s Oil Minister José Maria LNG boost for crops Botelho de Vasconcelos has iStockphoto.com artners in Block 15/06 Angolan farmers are set to benefit from byproducts pledged a more rigorous approach to from the new Angola liquefied natural gas (LNG) have announced a new protect the country from an environmen- plant under construction in the north of the coun- discovery. The Cabaça tal disaster such as the one which try. An ammonia and pesticide factory is planned P recently struck the Gulf of Mexico. “We South East-2 oil well is lo- alongside the LNG plant. Ammonia is a raw mate- have worked very closely with the oil rial used in the production of fertilisers. cated at a depth of 470 companies in a bid to fine-tune and ad- The idea is to create an industrial and develop- just existing mechanisms so as to carry metres, about 100km off the ment hub at the LNG factory site at Soyo in Zaire out that monitoring,” Vasconcelos told province, said Pedro Katendi, national director for coast. The appraisal well has Radio Nacional de Angola. However, he Agro-Industry. stressed that safety procedures had al- boosted initial oil-in-place Angola LNG is a stock-based company made up iStockphoto.com ways been extremely thorough in Angola. estimates by about 30 per of Chevron (36.4%), Sonagas (22.8%) and Total, Eni cent, increasing the likelihood Sonangol book prizewinner China’s largest supplier and BP (each with 13.6%). Construction is expected China has confirmed that Angola to cost $8 to $10 billion and will produce around The 2011 Sonangol Grand Literature creating a prize which gave “an incentive that a second production hub became its biggest oil supplier for 5.2 million tonnes of LNG and related products for Prize has been unanimously awarded to to aesthetic creation and scientific August this year. Citing figures from the export to the United States, Europe and Asia. is on the cards for the deep- João Lopes Filho, who uses the pen production, as well as an exchange of Chinese Customs Bureau, the Beijing-based water block. name Osagyeto Moisés. The Cape experiences” between the cultures of the said Angola sent 27.9 million Verdean writer won the $50,000 prize for countries taking part. Global Times Eni has a 35 per cent barrels of oil during the month, accounting his book Percursos & Destinos (Routes & The annual competition is open to for over 19 per cent of total oil imports to working interest and is the Destinations). all Portuguese-speaking African coun- Hub role the Asian economic giant. AFP/Getty Images His book describes the social tries and began in 1987. Panel president operator in Block 15/06, while President José Eduardo dos Santos has processes and cultural history of the Corsino Fortes said there were plans to entrusted Sonangol with the task of pro- Sonangol is the concession- people of the Cape Verde Islands. extend the competition to East Timor, Brazil prospects Sonangol was among the many oil moting development hubs, previously aire. Other partners are SSI The judges said the book was “auda- also a member of the Community of Por- companies taking part in the presti- the responsibility of the National Recon- cious, detailed and descriptive” in its tuguese Language Countries. This year’s Fifteen (20%), Sonangol E&P gious Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference, struction Cabinet. He announced the portrayal of the history of Cape Verde’s winner will receive his award on Febru- the biggest of its kind in Latin America. transfer of the projects of Kilamba Kiaxi, (15%), Total (15%), Falcon Oil people. They also praised Sonangol for ary 25, Sonangol’s 35th anniversary. Speaking on the sidelines of the event in Zango and Cacuaco to Sonangol in Holding Angola (5%), Petro- September, Cândido Cardoso, president Luanda on October 26. bras (5%) and Statoil (5%). of Sonangol in Brazil, said the company Speaking at Kilamba Kiaxi, the presi- had much to gain from investing in the The same partners in Block African partners dent said Sonangol’s property-develo- Sarah Monaghan country and that it offered “interesting ment arm, Sonangol Imobiliária, would 15/06 announced a new São Tomé and Príncipe is keen for African oil prospects”. take care of all areas of the project as well commercial deep-sea find at companies such as Sonangol to be its partner Sonangol has projects in three blocks as the sale of areas and buildings in in upcoming oil exploration. offshore Brazil, which shares similar geol- other development hubs planned for the Mpungi-1 well on October International oil firms ConocoPhillips ogy with Angola, and in August 2009 it Cabinda, Kuando-Kubango and Dundo. 18. Initial flow was 6,000 Chevron, Petrobras and Tullow are bidding for took control of Brazilian oil company President dos Santos also put rights to explore for oil off the coast of São Starfish. “From a technical point of view, Sonangol in charge of the Luanda-Bengo barrels of oil a day. The well Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea. But during a recent both Angola and Brazil have things to gain Special Economic Zone (ZEE) project. is 120km off the coast and visit to Luanda, Patrice Trovoada, Prime Minis- in exchanging experiences from across The president said he hoped the 1,050 metres below the ter of São Tomé and Principe, told Reuters: “If both sides of the Atlantic,” said Cardoso. ZEE development would be co-ordi- there is oil, this oil is in Africa and it should be “Brazil means a lot to Sonangol. Brazil nated with that of Kilamba Kiaxi and that waves, while its reservoir lies for the African people. Therefore, there is a and Petrobras have ties that date back to at least 14,000 people would be a further 600 metres under preference towards African companies.” the beginning of Sonangol.” employed in the 70 factory units The bidding was expected to end on planned. He added that he wanted the the sea floor. September 15, but has been extended to give Kilamba Kiaxi development hub to be ‘a firms such as Sonangol more time, he said. model’ project.

➔ André Vieira

34 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2009 35 SU28.35-years.pp36-39:SU27 29/11/10 19:40 Page 36

NEWS SONANGOL: -year milestone Hello to the new of success beckons Sonangol commemorates 35 years of activities on February 25 next year. In the run-up to official anniver- sary celebrations, Universo looks at some of the com- pany’s major achievements and investment plans Larry Lee Photography/CORBIS n accelerating rise in oil output, heavy arm has since graduated to more challenging areas 35investment in gas and refining, alongside of production and is now also taking part in A diversification into a range of new business deepwater Block 34 operations, which will have an areas, encapsulates the Sonangol story over the last estimated output of 200,000 bpd when it comes on three and a half decades. stream. State-owned Sonangol has always been run Angola’s future oil supplies are increasingly on similar lines to a private company, having found in its deeper waters and Sonangol P&P, with to meet strict standards to ensure efficiency and its Block 34 experience, will be well-placed to take productivity. on a larger role in their exploitation. Proof that Sonangol has stepped up to the plate appears in some impressive figures, achieved Downstream: $17 billion regardless of having investment sidetracked by a investment in two bumper crippling war which only ended in 2002. projects Since the company was founded in 1976, just Two of Sonangol’s major investments currently after independence, Angola’s oil output has underway are the Angola Liquefied Natural Gas increased twenty-fold from around 100,000 barrels (ALNG) project and the Lobito oil refinery. (see box per day (bpd) to around 2 million bpd, making it the on page 38) second-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sonangol chairman Manuel Angola regularly exports significant volumes of Angola LNG Vicente (right) welcomes oil to countries in Europe, America and Asia. ALNG is a Sonangol partnership with Chevron and President José Eduardo Chinese customs data showed Angola to be the three other international oil companies. The aim is dos Santos (left) to new company HQ country’s largest oil supplier in August, shipping to make more profitable use of Angolan natural gas, around 30 million barrels and accounting for over currently flared and a source of pollution, by lique- 19 per cent of its total foreign oil shipments. fying and exporting it. Located at Soyo in Zaire Province, within easy Sonangol accepts new reach of Angola’s main oil fields, construction of the challenges in deep-sea $9 billion LNG plant is scheduled for completion in exploration 2012. Sonangol is the leading oil company in Angola, Once up and running, ALNG will supply the holding exclusive rights to grant and control gas under a 20-year contract to a regasification concession block leases to a host of multinational plant on the Mississippi River in the southern oil- operating companies since its foundation. United States. It took the decision to participate more directly In order to operate the new plant, more than a in operations in 1992, and with this in mind estab- hundred Angolan technicians are now undergoing lished its own exploration and production arm training in Canada and Indonesia. Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção, known simply as Sonangol P&P. Lobito oil refinery Sonangol P&P’s current output is just over Sonangol’s second major ongoing investment is the 100,000 bpd from fields located in the shallow $8 billion Lobito oil refinery. The project is part of waters of blocks 2 and 3. The Sonangol operating Angola’s strategy for reducing dependence on  Goodbye to the old

36 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 37 SU28.35-years.pp36-39:SU27 29/11/10 19:40 Page 38

NEWS NEWS Timeline

1976 Sonangol UEE established. 1989 Sonangol starts producing its 2010Sonangol P&P as operator imported refined products such as Angola oil production 100,000 bpd. own lubricant brand, Ngol. Ngol is produces 100,000 bpd equivalent to unleaded petrol, diesel, jet fuel and LPG. manufactured at Sonangol Distribuidora’s Angola’s total output in 1976. Angola is Lobito will relieve pressure on the only plant at Mulemba, Luanda. The high-tech the second largest oil producer in Sub existing refinery at Luanda, which is factory has ISO 9000 environmental certifi- Saharan Africa with estimated reserves of unable to meet domestic demand for cation. Ngol is now available for use in a 12.4 billion barrels. Sonangol has 9,000 refined products. Angola currently im- full range of engines from high performance employees worldwide. ports 70 per cent of its fuel and other oil cars to trucks, tractors and the marine derivatives. market sector. The new refinery will initially produce 150,000 barrels a day of refined 1991 Sonangol awarded first products, eventually rising to 200,000 deep-sea oil concession: Block 16. barrels a day. Located 8 km from the city Sonangol’s acquisition of this deep-sea of Lobito, the refinery will be well-placed concession signalled the company’s intent to serve central and southern Angola, in being more directly involved in Angola’s given it will be connected to the Benguela new exploration and production frontiers, railway, which crosses the densely popu- where most future output is expected. lated plateau region around Huambo, Angola’s second city. The first phase of refining is sched- uled to start up in 2011 and the final 1983 First Sonangol international phase completed in 2013. subsidiary opens in London. The idea behind creating Sonangol Limited based in Sonangol retail revival London was to have a physical presence Away from the dusty, relatively remote in the international oil market, advertise giant construction sites of Lobito and the Sonangol group and promote the New service stations significantly cut fuel queues International oil Soyo, Sonangol’s other investment plans marketing of Angolan crude oil to end companies in are already bearing fruit for all to see in users without the expense of using 1999 Sonangol UEE becomes Angola’s streets and towns. intermediaries. Sonangol E.P. Sonangol changed its Angola Sonangol Distribuidora, the com- statutes to become a public company or pany’s retail arm, has a fast-growing Sonangol P & P 1992 Sonangol P&P subsidiary set ‘Empresa Publica’. The move enabled network of modern, eye-catching petrol Alrosa ALNG – Key facts up as an oil-operating company. Sonangol to operate more like a private service stations. Somoil Sonangol’s exploration and production company. The company was previously In 2004, Sonangol Distribuidora Total Initial capacity: Natural gas supply arm was created in order to participate di- administered as a directly-state controlled embarked upon a five-year plan to build 5.2 million tons of sources: BP rectly in oil exploration and production and company or ‘Unidade Empresarial Estatal’. 400 service stations throughout Angola LNG a year offshore blocks 0, 1, Esso 2, 14, 15, 17 and 18. thus provide more local job opportunities. with initial investment of $131 million. Chevron Estimated cost: Thanks to the company’s efforts, Tullow $9 billion Main market: queues for fuel at the country’s pumps Vaalco United States have been cut dramatically over the last Ownership: Pluspetrol 2001 Angola oil production reaches couple of years. Sonangol 22.8%, Maersk Oil Chevron 36.4%, 1 million bpd. Angola’s profile as a major Conscious of Sonangol’s depend- Eni Total 13.6%, BP producer is enhanced as it passes the ence on the often sharply fluctuating Petrobras 13.6% and Eni million barrel per day mark. price of oil, the company has adopted a Cobalt 13.6% policy of diversifying activities away from Dewitt Jones/CORBIS 2003 Sonangol P&P begins opera- its core business. tions in offshore Block 3. Sonangol Sonangol offices Sonangol’s annual performance P&P’s first direct experiences in drilling abroad results will be presented on February 25 operations start in shallow waters. during the company’s thirty-fifth Houston, USA anniversary celebrations. Universo will 2008 Angola oil output reaches 2 London, England be there to describe the events on Sonangol million bpd. New Luanda Sonangol Singapore the most important date on Sonangol’s

Pictures: Holdings HQ officially opened. calendar. 

38 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 39 SU28.CapeVerde.pp46-49:SU27 29/11/10 19:45 Page 46

NEWS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY As Sonangol’s Cape Verde enterprise celebrated its tenth anniversary in late October, Universo took a look at the company’s activities in the archipelago’s promising economy ➔ Michele Falzone/JAI/Corbis

46 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 47 SU28.CapeVerde.pp46-49:SU27 29/11/1019:45Page48 T and telecoms. islands’ economy, suchasbanking,tourism gol hasdiversified intootherareas ofthe Nacional deCombustíveis (Enacol),Sonan- stake inlocaloilcompanyEmpresa ness isrepresented by itsheftyminority Portuguese asitsofficiallanguage. that Cape Verde, likeAngola,shares Sonangol’s isaidedby subsidiary thefact thisdynamicmarket. to serve The work of S.A. wasestablishedtenyears ago, seeking With thisinmind,Sonangol Cabo Verde tionalising itsbusinessesin West Africa. are keytoSonangol’s strategy ofinterna- nearly 12percentinrecent years. expansion, withGDPgrowth peakingat 48 possibilitiesnotonly to exploittourism coastal searoutes. The government iskeen transatlantic andAfrican harbours toserve opportunities. able foragriculture, offergreat tourism andalthoughlargely unsuit- semi-desert the West coast. African The islandsare ous islandslocated570kmfrom Senegal off Cape Verde consistsof15mostlymountain- Archipelago growth major areasof Cape Verde’s benefit from, benefit, and are wellplacedto telecoms interests tourism fuel Sonangol’s local SONANGOL NEWS While theAngolanoilgiant’s core busi- The country’s economyandlocation Cape Verde iswell placed,with witnessed extraordinary economic west Atlantic have edgeofAfrica, he Cape Verde Islands, onthenorth- , banking, UNIVERSO and Verde’s board. da Silva Neto, ofSonangol chairman Cape economic andsocialwell-being, saidJoão toCapeability andcontribute Verde’s conditions forthecompany’s self-sustain- 2011-2013. local economyfortheperiod million investment inseveral areas ofthe Sonangol’s a$30 hasearmarked subsidiary from, Cape Verde’s majorareas ofgrowth. are well chosentobenefit,andbenefit andtelecomsinterestsbanking, tourism ing theseservices. role infacilitat- munications playacrucial economy through remittances. Telecom- the indigenous inhabitants–supports tion –saidtobegreater innumberthanthe that thecountry’s large emigrant popula- givenBanking importance hasparticular Verde’s economyisbasedonservices. pipeline. with 1,000beds. More resorts are inthe of construction West Africa’s largest hotel extensive hotel-resort building,including the lastthree years. There hasalsobeen in airports opened twonewinternational shipsbutalsobyfrom cruise air. It has The investment willhelpcreate the Sonangol’s locally-sourced fuel, An estimated70percentofCape  Enacol* Source: BBC Gross nationalincomepercapita: • Mainexports:shoes,clothes, • Monetaryunit:1CapeVerdean • Lifeexpectancy:68years(men),74 • Majorlanguages:Portuguese, • Area: 4,033sqkm(1,557miles) • Capital:Praia • Population:506,000(UN,2009) • aviation segments. sale, direct clientsales,energy and lubricants. Itoperatesinretail, whole- fuels, liquefiedpetroleum gasand storing, distributingandsellingliquid Enacol isinvolvedinimporting, **Banco AfricanodeInvestimentosCaboVerde *Empresa NacionaldeCombustíveis CVTelecom 5.05% BAI CV*19.00% e Turismo Valor Hotéis20.00% fuel partner Enacol Main businesses Key facts: CapeVerde $3,130 (World Bank,2008) ment) (volcanic rock, usedtomakece- fish, bananas,hides,pozzolana escudo =100centavos years (women)(UN) Portuguese andAfricanwords) Crioulo (amixture ofarchaic Sonangol’s – tk Sector 38.37% Stake Telecommunications Banking Tourism Oil Products Cape Verde Islands Mindelo, SãoVicente,

Robert Harding/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis of Sonangol. SonAir istheairtransportationarm Serviço Aéreo SARLwith1percent. SGPS with99percentandSonair E.P. andSonAir. 2000, andisasubsidiaryofSonangol in thecountrysinceOctober26, vestimento S.A.Ithasbeenpresent gol CaboVerde –SociedadedeIn- operates underthenameofSonan- The company’s CapeVerde business Verde Company Sonangol’s Cape The shareholders are Sonangol DECEMBER 2010 49 SU28.RubenCosta.pp40-45:SU27 29/11/10 21:45 Page 40

NEWS

ROLL OUT THE BARRELS Tripling oil output over the past 15 years has placed Angola neck-and-neck with Nigeria as Africa’s largest producer. Universo spoke to Ruben Costa, Sonangol’s director of production, about developments and challenges ahead ➔ Photolibrary

40 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 41 SU28.RubenCosta.pp40-45:SU27 29/11/10 21:45 Page 42

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Cabinda. The development costs are higher in deeper water – and The Gulf of Mexico inci- the challenge becomes economical as well as technological.” dent has affected every- Significant boost body... Now we do all our in production If the pre-salt exploration is successful, as Costa believes it will be, safety checks twice over Angola can expect a significant production boost. Until then, Block 15, operated by Esso Angola (ExxonMobil), remains the country’s “ largest production operation and is set to grow further when – just to be totally sure Kizomba Satellites begin. With Block 17, run by Total, the next in line and Pazflor due to come on stream in 2011 and Clov in 2012, ngola was producing just over half a million barrels of oil the two million bpd target will be easily achieved. per day (bpd) in 1995, but thanks to several large-scale, BP’s Block 31 in ultra-deep water is another key development A deepwater projects, output is now up to around 1.8 million which is due to start producing during 2011, with Eni’s Block 15/06 bpd, reaching levels close to those of Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude likely to come on stream late 2012, early 2013. producer. Sonangol’s plan is to reach a steady two million” bpd, according to Ruben Costa, the company’s Director of Production, although he emphasised that there was no race to exceed that amount. “With all our developments we never like to jeopardise the ultimate recovery,” he cautioned. “This means all development is carefully studied to identify the best strategy because we think our responsibility is not to maximise production but to optimise it. Sometimes we have complaints from the operators and, of course, we take into account economic considerations, but our drive is always to optimise production.” Oil sheen is seen with vessels assisting near Pioneering deepwater the source of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exploration Bloomberg via Getty Images in the Gulf of Mexico New and improved technology has been a key factor in helping Sonangol and Angola to increase production so rapidly, said Costa. As Angola moves into deeper and deeper water, it is impossible one president for 31 years and that stability has certainly been a “Some wells and areas that were inaccessible ten to 15 years not to make comparisons with the Gulf of Mexico and ask the factor in the country’s oil industry successes. “In terms of oil busi- ago are now available because of new technology. Some of it is obvious “what if” questions for Angola. ness, people always recognise Angola as a very stable country,” said being trialled here in Angola for the very first time, such as the riser “Without a doubt the Gulf of Mexico incident has affected Costa, “and also because we are known for honouring our con- towers and subsea separators in Block 17. We are pioneering deep- everybody in the industry,” said Costa. “It doesn’t mean that we tracts. water exploration and drilling,” he said. didn’t take safety seriously before, but this was a real signal to think “The environment for investment in Angola is always very well “Sonangol is not a conservative company. If we have a chal- again and be even more careful with our operations. appreciated; we respect our promises, and we don’t change the lenge, we like to beat it, and all the time we are drilling deeper and “Now all of Sonangol’s equipment and procedures are double- rules in the middle of things.” deeper, at both higher temperatures and pressures.” checked, that is we do all our safety checks twice over – just to be He said the next step for Angola was converting the successes The next big challenge for Sonangol will be the exploration of totally sure.” of its oil industry into sustainable development for the people. “For Angola’s pre-salt fields. Costa is confident that with geology very Angola has so far escaped any major incidents and Costa said a long time the oil business was like an island in Angola – compa- similar to Brazil, where there have been significant pre-salt discov- the plan was to keep it that way. “We’re not saying we’ve not had nies would bring people in just to take them offshore to the fields eries, Angola will also find success in the deeper layer. problems, but nothing like the magnitude of what happened in the and that was it,” he said. “But the situation today is completely dif- Discussions are already underway, he said, for pre-salt explo- Gulf of Mexico. ferent, and at Sonangol we feel that we are responsible to support ration in Blocks 23, 24, 26, 39, 40 and 41, and he hoped the compa- the government in the effort for construction and local training.” nies involved would be named by the end of 2010. Peace a factor in Giving the example of the Malongo compound in Cabinda, run It was unlikely, however, that the pre-salt blocks would go up industry success by the Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Chevron’s Angolan subsidiary, for auction because of the geological complexity of the rock forma- “Over the last two or three years, we’ve had three or four small Costa said it was time there was more connection between oil tion. “Pre-salt is very capital intensive, very risky, and there are incidents, some in Blocks 0 and 14 in Cabinda. The biggest one was workers and their local community. some big technical challenges. We use companies that have enough in Block 17 back in February 2008, but the oil that shows up on the “A lot of services used to have to be done abroad, but now we financial and technological capacity. If there are problems at the beach in Cabinda from time to time could just as easily come from can do things for ourselves and we should do these things. Every- outset, these could jeopardise future pre-salt activity. elsewhere, such as Congo, as was the case with the last report of oil one has to be involved; it’s about investing today to see a return in “We estimate that it will cost $100 million to drill one pre-salt which washed up there,” Costa explained. the future.” 

well. For that amount, you could drill six or seven ordinary wells in Joel Sartore Angola has now been at peace for nearly nine years, and under

42 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 43 SU28.RubenCosta.pp40-45:SU27 29/11/10 21:45 Page 44

NEWS

Ruben Monteiro da Costa Date of birth: February 2nd 1961

Place of birth: Sumbe, Angola

Petroleum Engineer graduate at Universidade Agostinho Neto in Luanda

1986: Training on Elf Aquitaine Angola in drilling

1987-1992: Cabinda Gulf Oil Company CABGOC (Chevron) on secondment from Sonangol Petroleum Engineer (1987-1989) Production Foreman (1989-1991) Reservoir Engineer (1992)

1992-2010: Sonangol Reservoir Engineer (1992-2000) Head of Production Department (2000-2002) Head of Facilities Department (2003-2006) Production Director (2006-2010) Kamene M Traça

44 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 45 SU28.big picture.pp50-51:SU26 29/11/10 19:43 Page 50 INSIDE ANGOLA

The coastal road from Luanda to Lobito offers oases of serenity and understated beauty. The River Keve slowly meandering across its flood plain south of Porto Amboim is a priceless example.  PMP Global

50 SONANGOL UNIVERSO DECEMBER 2010 51 DECEMBER 2010 Rail revival Shanghai Expo reunites Angola Angola delights accelerating growth Sonangol celebrates INSIDE: oil and gas news Art attack Luanda Triennial enchants Luanda Triennial Universo

SONANGOL UNIVERSO ISSUE 28 – DECEMBER 2010 SU28-cover:Layout 1 29/11/10 19:36 Page 1 Page 19:36 29/11/10 1 SU28-cover:Layout