Angolan Oil Production Has Doubled Since 2003

EIA, Today in Energy, Oct 14, 2011

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Angola Country Analysis Brief & Short-Term Energy Outlook Table 3c: OPEC Crude Oil Production.Download CSV Data [Note: Presumably, crude oil production excluding condensates since the mid-2000s -- D.R.]

Angola has emerged as Africa's second largest oil producer [after Nigeria, and please see remarks below -- D.R.]; its oil production has grown 147% since 2000. Angola is the eighth largest supplier of crude oil to the United States [please see remarks below -- D.R.] and the second largest crude supplier to China, according to data for January through July 2011. Angola is still rebuilding from a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. Security issues remain, especially in the disputed oil-rich Cabinda exclave. Border disputes have halted some oil developments.

A member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Angola has production targets ranging from 1.52 to 1.66 million barrels per day (bbl/d); however, the country is currently increasing its oil production and capacity. In 2010, Angola produced about 1.85 million bbl/d of crude oil [excluding condensates -- D.R.] and, given very low levels of domestic consumption, exported all but 50 thousand bbl/d.

Oil is crucial to the Angolan economy, accounting for over 95% of export revenues and over 75% of government revenue. In 2010, Angola exported almost 1.8 million bbl/d of crude oil; the majority of crude oil exports went to China (45%) and the United States (23%), representing 17% and 4% of those countries' total crude oil imports, respectively.

Production in 2011 is down, averaging 1.65 million bbl/d, due to temporary technical problems. Industry analysts expect Angolan production to grow beyond 1.85 million bbl/d by the end of 2011, and perhaps reach 2.5 to 3 million bbl/d of capacity by 2016, based on planned project startups.

International oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total, Eni, and BP, play a major role in Angola, operating most production. The Angolan government recently held a licensing round for a pre-selected group of private companies to explore and produce in the country's pre-salt offshore areas—an area believed to be of similar geological makeup to the Brazilian pre-salt.

China is a major investor in Angola and has provided several multi-billion dollar oil-backed loans to fund infrastructure development. The China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) are among the national oil companies working in Angola. Angola is now the second largest supplier of oil to China, behind Saudi Arabia.

According to EIA's recently released Angola Country Analysis Brief, Angola had 10.9 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas reserves in 2011, up from an estimated 2 Tcf in 2007. Natural gas production in Angola is tied directly to oil production and is often vented or flared, with limited volumes consumed domestically. An Angolan liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, due to commence operation in 2012, will allow Angola to export its natural gas and reduce flaring. [Full story]

(Please see Aaron and David Rachovich, "Africa's Top 8 Oil Producers, 2006-2010 -- EIA." Angola was in 2009-2010/full year the seventh largest supplier of crude oil to the United States---please see our post "U.S. Crude Oil Imports from Top 15 Countries ... -- EIA." According to Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ), Angola's proved oil reserves stood at 9.5 billion bbl as of Jan 1, 2011---please see our post "World's Top 22 Proven Oil Reserves Holders, Jan 1, 2011 -- OGJ," while BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2011, places Angolan proved oil reserves as high as 13.5 billion bbl---please see our post "World's Top 23 Proven Oil Reserves Holders, 2007-2010 -- BP." -- D.R.)

United Kingdom Natural Gas and Oil Production Continues Decade-Long Decline

EIA, Today in Energy, Sept 21, 2011

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, United Kingdom Country Analysis Brief.Download CSV Data

The United Kingdom (U.K.) is the largest producer of oil and second-largest producer of natural gas in the European Union [after the Netherlands -- D.R.]. Due to steadily declining production since the early 2000s, the U.K. became a net importer of natural gas and oil in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

In 2010, the U.K. produced 1.4 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil and consumed 1.6 million bbl/d. [Please see remarks below -- D.R.]. While consumption remained relatively constant throughout the last decade, 2010 production declined 7% from 2009. Further declines are expected: the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Short-Term Energy Outlook predicts the U.K.'s production will fall to 1.2 million bbl/d in 2012. Despite decreasing production, the U.K. remains one of the European Union's leading petroleum exporters; in 2010, the U.K. exported 832,000 bbl/d, more than half of its total production.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, United Kingdom Country Analysis Brief.Download CSV Data

In 2010, U.K. natural gas production was 2.0 trillion cubic feet, a 5% drop from 2009, and the lowest level since 1992. Natural gas consumption rose 7% in 2010. To offset its declining natural gas production in the North Sea, the U.K. is importing more liquefied natural gas (LNG). Deliveries of LNG to the U.K. were up 0.86 billion cubic feet per day, or 54%, during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Because discoveries of new oil and natural gas reserves have not outpaced the maturation of existing oil and natural gas fields, production from both has declined. The U.K.'s increasing reliance on imported natural gas and oil has spurred the government to develop energy policies to focus on enhanced oil and gas recovery, as well as increased cooperation with Norway—U.K.'s largest oil supplier. The U.K. has also invested heavily in renewable energy; according to the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change, the U.K. has the largest offshore wind resource in the world.

EIA's United Kingdom Country Analysis Brief features additional analysis of these trends, along with a broad discussion of the U.K.'s energy sector. [Full story]

(Note that oil production refers to the total oil supply, including the production of crude oil, natural gas plant liquids, and other liquids, and refinery processing gain. While oil consumption refers to the total petroleum consumption, including internal consumption, refinery fuel and loss, and bunkering. UK crude oil production, including lease condensate, dropped to 1.2 million bbl/d in 2010, from about 2.7 million bbl/d in 1999. According to Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ), UK's proved oil reserves stood at 2.858 billion bbl as of Jan 1, 2011, a decrease of 7.4% when compared with the Jan 1, 2010. Also, according to OGJ, the UK had 9,040 billion cubic feet (bcf) of proven natural gas reserves as of Jan 1, 2011, a 12% decline from the previous year. -- D.R.)