16-10-2026
By Pie Kamau | Channel: oil-gas
| Tags: Angola
Energy
Oil & Gas
Upstream Oil and Gas
Afentra advances Impala-2 and Pacassa SW wells in Angola
Impala-2 targets 4,000 barrels per day from January 2027
Afentra, an upstream oil and gas company focused on production and development assets in Africa, is advancing two key wells in Angola’s offshore Block 3/05, with drilling of the Impala-2 development well set to begin in mid-October 2026 and the Pacassa SW discovery scheduled for a subsequent sidetrack and completion programme.
The Borr Grid drilling rig will move directly to Impala-2 before returning to Pacassa SW, allowing drilling at the Impala field to proceed while final preparations and equipment mobilisation for the Pacassa sidetrack are completed.
Impala-2 is expected to deliver first oil in January 2027, while production from Pacassa SW is targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
Impala-2 is expected to spud in mid-October, with drilling and completion operations taking approximately 80 days. Completion is targeted for the end of December, followed by first oil in January 2027 at an initial gross production rate of approximately 4,000 barrels of oil per day.
The well represents the next stage in the redevelopment of the Impala field. Reservoir pressure and productivity data obtained during the successful Impala-1 intervention, which restarted production from the well, have been incorporated into final planning for Impala-2.
Completion of Impala-2 is also expected to support a material incremental re
Paul McDade, CEO of Afentra, said: “The decision to move directly to Impala-2 provides operational flexibility, optimises the Block 3/05 drilling programme and enables us to maintain operational momentum. With preparations for the Impala-2 well complete, the revised sequencing allows drilling to progress immediately while final planning and equipment mobilisation for the Pacassa SW sidetrack are completed.”
Joint venture partners agree $60 million Impala-2 cost cap
The Block 3/05 joint venture partners have elected to fund Impala-2 directly rather than use the previously agreed carry mechanism, with the well subject to a reduced gross cost cap of $60 million.
The direct funding structure allows Afentra to participate in production revenues from first oil while benefiting from the full capital expenditure uplift available under the Block 3/05 Production Sharing Contract. The retained cost cap also provides Afentra with protection against potential cost overruns.
“The joint venture partners’ decision to fund Impala-2 directly enables Afentra to participate in production revenues from first oil, currently expected in January 2027, while benefiting from the full capital expenditure uplift available under the Block 3/05 PSC. Importantly, the retained well cost cap mechanism continues to provide Afentra with protection against cost overruns,” McDade said.
Pacassa SW sidetrack follows 136 metres of net oil pay
Pacassa SW will be sidetracked and completed after work on Impala-2 is finished. The discovery well encountered 136 metres of net oil pay but requires a sidetrack following operational problems that restricted access to the wellbore.
Once Impala-2 has been completed, the Borr Grid rig will return to Pacassa SW for the sidetrack and completion programme. First oil is expected during the first quarter of 2027 following connection to the existing Pacassa production infrastructure.
Remapping of the Pacassa SW discovery is continuing using results from the discovery well. The work is expected to assess incremental oil retimates made before drilling. Updated oil-in-place and rerk
“Pacassa SW remains a high-priority discovered refirming the material potential we see in this area. Following Impala-2, the rig will return to Pacassa SW to sidetrack and complete the well, preserving a clear, efficient pathway to bringing both wells into production in Q1 2027,” McDade said
Block 3/05 programme builds towards production and cash flow growth
The two wells form part of a broader programme across Afentra’s Angolan portfolio. Near-term activity includes a trading update expected in November 2026, completion of the Etu transaction and further work on the redevelopment of the KON4 Quenguela Norte field.
Afentra also plans to provide further information on the exploration potential of its Kwanza Onshore portfolio, while a hydraulic workover programme at Block 3/05 is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
“Together with our partners, we continue to take a disciplined, pragmatic approach to the redevelopment of Block 3/05. We now have two important production wells progressing through the programme, providing the potential for meaningful near-term production and cash flow growth as we continue to unlock the significant value within the asset,” McDade said.
Are you interested in having your interview published on our website, click here.
Become a member of Africa Business Communities
Events
29 October 2026 | Open Webinar | The Hidden Costs of Operating Across Emerging Markets
31 October 2026 | GDG Arusha DevFest 2026 | Arusha
22 October 2026 | Greenshift Sustainability Forum | Nairobi
