Mikaila Adams
Associate Editor, OGFJ
Chevron Corp.'s subsidiary, Cabinda Gulf Oil Co. Ltd. (CABGOC), and its partners began crude oil production roughly three months ahead of schedule from the Mafumeira Norte project located offshore Angola. 
Located in 160 feet (49 meters) of water about 15 miles (24 km) off the Angolan coastline, the Mafumeira Norte project is the first phase development of the Mafumeira Field located in Area A of Block 0. The project is being commercialized through 14 wells to the existing Kungulo Water Injection Platform (KWIP) and is expected to reach maximum total production of 30,000 barrels of crude oil and 30 million cubic feet per day of natural gas in 2011.
KWIP was installed in 1999 for development of the Kungulo field. The pipelines linking Mafumeira Norte to KWIP are 18 miles (25 kilometer) in length.
The Mafumeira field was discovered in 1998. This first oil reflects the first phase of development of the larger Mafumeira area. According to the company spokesperson, "planning is well underway on the second stage of development," and that "announcements on further phases will be made as progress continues."
Of note is the high involvement of Angolan businesses and the high percentage of Angolans in the company's workforce.
"Chevron is committed to developing local Angolan suppliers for the oil industry," he noted.
The Mafumeira Platform was designed and constructed by Sonamet Industrial SA, an Angolan oilfield fabrication company. Sonamet was the prime Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation (EPCI) contractor for the project and had full responsibility for EPCI and hook up of the platform and fabrication of the jacket and topsides in Angola. This was Sonamet's first platform EPCI contract and the first for an Angola-based contractor. Sonamet is a joint venture between Acergy and Sonangol.
Chevron is Angola's largest foreign oil-industry employer. The company employs approximately 2,900 Angolan nationals, who account for 86% of the total workforce. In addition, Angolans fill about 73% of Chevron's local professional and supervisory roles."
The company has a long history in Angola, beginning with the marketing of Texaco-branded products in the 1930s. In 1958, Cabinda Gulf Oil Co., Chevron's wholly-owned operating unit in Angola, drilled its first onshore well.
Chevron is ranked among Angola’s top petroleum producers — investing billions of dollars in major energy projects for oil production and conserve natural gas for use in Angola. During 2008, total daily liquids production averaged 534,000 barrels (145,000 net). Chevron has interests in four concessions in Angola, two of which it operates - Block 14 and Block O
The company would not comment on the specific cost of the contract, but stated it was "a significant multi million dollar contract for the Mafumeira Norte project."
Chevron, through CABGOC, has a 39.2% interest and is the operator of the Block 0 contractor group, which also comprises SONANGOL P&P (41%), Total (10%), and ENI (9.8%).
