Azule Energy, a joint venture between Italy’s Eni and the UK’s BP, has made significant strides in its ultra-deepwater development in Angola by selecting Baker Hughes to deliver subsea production systems. This choice follows the contracts awarded to Saipem and TechnipFMC, marking a pivotal moment for the region’s oil and gas industry.
The ambitious Greater PAJ project stands out as Angola’s first integrated cross-block development, poised to usher in a new era of oil production. The project is set to bring together five offshore fields that span two blocks: Palas, Astraea, and Juno in Block 31, along with Urano and Dione in Block 31/21. With first oil targeted for the first half of 2029, excitement is building around this innovative approach to resource extraction.
Recent reports from Eni indicated that on June 22, the Final Investment Decision (FID) was reached for this critical oil development located in Blocks 31 and 31/21 offshore Angola. Azule Energy, with equal ownership stakes held by Eni and BP, is also joined by Sonangol E&P and Equinor in this venture, underscoring the collaborative effort driving the project.
Baker Hughes, a leader in oilfield services, will play a crucial role by supplying deepwater horizontal tree systems to maximize production efficiency in this greenfield development. They will also provide subsea control modules and intervention workover control systems, as well as the essential connection, distribution, and topside equipment necessary to ensure seamless operations from installation through ongoing production.
To bolster local capabilities, Baker Hughes will offer integrated tooling and services, establishing a support framework for installation and commissioning from its facilities in Angola. The delivery of subsea trees is anticipated to commence in 2027, with the deepwater horizontal tree systems engineered to thrive in ultra-deepwater environments, capable of handling operating pressures up to 10,000 psi and depths reaching 10,000 feet.
“Ultra-deepwater developments demand unmatched reliability and performance to ensure that production is safe, efficient, and sustained over the life of the field,” stated Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President of Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. He highlighted the importance of combining Baker Hughes’ advanced offshore production technology with decades of operational experience in Angola’s deepwater fields to enhance production and optimize energy distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Greater PAJ project encapsulates this forward-thinking approach, consisting of 17 wells linked to a new floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. This vessel boasts a nameplate capacity of 95,000 barrels of oil per day and is designed to facilitate gas exports of up to 70 million standard cubic feet per day. The gas will be routed to the Angola LNG (ALNG) plant via a newly constructed gas export line, integrating into the existing Block 31 gas export network.
In this context, Saipem has secured a substantial $1 billion contract for the development, which covers the engineering, fabrication, transportation, and installation of an impressive 180 kilometers of rigid pipelines and subsea facilities. Additionally, Saipem’s responsibilities extend to the transportation and installation of 38 kilometers of flexible flowlines and jumpers, alongside 54 kilometers of umbilicals, crucial for the infrastructure supporting this innovative project.
Meanwhile, TechnipFMC has also landed a contract to design and manufacture flexible flowlines and risers that will connect the wells situated in water depths nearing 2,000 meters to the new floating production unit (FPU). These collaborations reflect a robust network of expertise and resources that are set to redefine Angola’s role in the global oil market.