Background
The Angola LNG project is an integrated gas utilisation scheme comprising offshore and onshore operations. These will commercialise gas resources from the country’s offshore blocks and boost the development of a future natural gas-based industry.
1997 - Joint feasibility study for Angola LNG project agreed.

1999 - Gas utilisation agreement signed and the Angola LNG project begins.

2002 - Participation agreement signed between operators of gas supplying blocks.

2007 - Final Investment Decision taken and investment contract signed.

2008 - Plant construction begins.

2009 - OPCO and SOMG established.

2009 - First LNG storage tank construction begins.

2011 - Pipeline test and the arrival of gas onshore.

2012 - Angola LNG Marketing Ltd established.

2012 - Plant construction complete.

2013 - Production of first LNG.

2013 - The first cargo of LNG is shipped and safely delivered to Brazil.

2013 - Completion of various Angola LNG social investment projects.

2014 - First LPG, domestic butane and condensate cargoes sold.

The Angola LNG project is one of the largest ever single investments in the Angolan oil and gas industry. It is of significant national importance and central to the country’s plans to:①develop and benefit from its natural gas resources,②reduce gas flaring and greenhouse gas emissions,③boost economic development in Angola.

Brief Introduction

Gas Supply：

With an expected life of at least 30 years Angola LNG draws its gas supply from a diverse range of sources.The primary source was associated gas from offshore oil operations in Blocks 15, 17, and 18. 

This was followed by connecting Blocks 0 and 14, and in time Blocks 31 and 32.Angola LNG will also develop and produce non-associated gas as needed from dedicated gas discoveries within Blocks 1 and 2.

Angola LNG’s use of associated gas as a primary feed source is unlike other LNG projects which tend to use non associated gas. As a result the plant is significantly contribute to the elimination of gas flaring in Angola, allowing for the development of offshore oil reserves in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Pipelines：

An extensive pipeline network of over 500km delivers gas from offshore oil fields to the processing and liquefaction plant at Soyo.The pipeline is initially transport feedstock from Blocks 15, 17 and 18.  

A subsea pipeline is being constructed to connect Blocks 0 and 14, situated north of the Congo River, to the Angola LNG plant.  In time Angola LNG plans to connect Blocks 31 and 32 and the non-associated gas accumulations in Blocks 1 and 2 to the pipeline network.

The pipeline network is owned by Sonangol E.P. and operated by Sociedade de Operacoes e Manutencao de Gasodutos (SOMG) a company set up to transport gas from the blocks to the onshore plant.once onshore the gas arriving from the different blocks goes through a metering station before it gets combined into one feed stream for purification and processing.

Plant：

Angola LNG has built one of the world’s most modern LNG processing facilities. It is located 350km north of Luanda, the capital of Angola, and at the mouth of the Congo River on the Atlantic Ocean.The plant is located on a 240 hectare site on Kwanda, an island within the delta estuary of the Congo River, which was established as a supply and support base for Angola’s offshore oil and gas industry.

Natural gas reaches the plant via a network of pipelines and is first treated to remove contaminants including carbon dioxide, water and mercury.This process not only purifies the gas but also removes anything that would freeze and cause blockages in the plant during refrigeration.

Lighter gases, such as propane and butane, are extracted to be sold separately or used later in the refrigerant process.Treated gas is then chilled to approximately minus 160°C (-260°F) in successively colder heat exchangers that use propane, ethylene and methane as refrigerants to produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

This LNG is then pumped into insulated storage tanks before being exported by a fleet of long-term chartered ships to buyers around the world.The Soyo plant is designed to process 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and has the capacity to produce 5.2 million tons of LNG per annum – plus natural gas, propane, butane and condensate.
The plant represents an important step in the efficient use of Angola’s natural resources, and boasts a workforce which is now equipped with expertise in every facet of LNG production from plant construction, commissioning operations, and logistics.The plant infrastructure includes storage tanks for LNG, propane, butane and condensate and an LNG loading jetty able to accommodate vessels up to 315m in length.

Products：

This section provides an overview of some of the products Angola LNG produces from this vital gas.Angola LNG has built one of the world’s most modern LNG processing facilities.In the first stage of the liquefaction process impurities such as water, oil, as well as other gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are removed.The purification process is also set up to eliminate any trace amounts of mercury from the natural gas. 

Natural gas liquids such as propane and butane are also extracted at this stage.The purified gas is then cooled down in stages by heat exchangers until it is liquefied at approximately minus 160°C, forming a clear, colourless and non-toxic liquid – liquefied natural gas, or LNG. 

The LNG is then kept in insulated storage tanks until it is ready to be loaded and shipped.Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - propane or butane - is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.

LPG is removed from natural gas when it is being converted into LNG, and can provide an alternative to electricity and heating oil in rural areas where there is no access to piped natural gas.LPG can be used as a power source for combined heat and power technologies (CHP). 

CHP is the process of generating both electrical power and useful heat from a single fuel source. This technology has allowed LPG to be used not just as fuel for heating and cooking, but also for electricity generation.

LPG can also be used as a motor fuel and it often referred to as autogas or auto propane.Condensate is the heaviest fraction of the natural gas mixture that can be used as gasoline or stream cracker feedstock, and is also extracted from the natural gas during the purification process to be sold and shipped to buyers.
Today Natural Gas is one of the principle sources of energy for many of our day-to-day needs and activities. It is a vital component of the world's supply of energy.

Despite its importance, there are many misconceptions about natural gas.Natural gas is colourless, shapeless, and odourless in its pure form.Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is clean burning and emits comparatively low levels of potentially harmful by-products into the air.While natural gas is formed primarily of methane, it can also include ethane, propane, butane and pentane. 

Shipping：
Three jetties are provided at the plant in Soyo for berthing and loading of tankers. One is dedicated to LNG ships, the second supports propane, butane and condensate, and the third is dedicated to pressurised butane loading.LNG is sold on either a Delivered Ex Ship (DES) to a terminal nominated by the buyer or Free On Board (FOB) basis where the buyer will arrange collection from Soyo.  All other products are sold on an FOB basis.

A fleet of seven 160,000 m3 LNG vessels has been chartered on a long term basis to transport Angola LNG cargoes to customers around the world. At full production, more than 70 LNG cargoes will be delivered globally from Angola every year.Four vessels are owned by a consortium comprising Mitsui, NYK and Teekay (MiNT). 

The operation of those ships is performed by NYK and Teekay, with each operating two vessels.  Three vessels are owned by Sonangol Shipping, and operated by Chevron Shipping.The fleet is equipped with a range of leak detection technology and emergency shutdown systems, together with numerous other technologies designed to ensure each and every cargo is delivered safely and securely.

The ships are all double-hulled and comprehensively insulated. Like many of the most advanced ships, Angola LNG’s fleet has the latest radar and positioning systems that alert the crew to other traffic and hazards on the high seas. Distress systems and beacons automatically send out signals if the ship was to experience difficulty.

Change of rights and interests

At $10 billion the Angola LNG project, built to create value from offshore gas resources, is one of the largest ever single investments in the Angolan oil and gas industry. It is the result of a partnership between Sonangol, Chevron, BP, Eni and Total to gather and process gas and deliver up to 5.2 million tons of LNG a year to the global market.

The shareholder partnership for Angola LNG Limited is shown in this pie chart. Sonangol (22.8%) and affiliates of Chevron (36.4%), Total (13.6%), BP (13.6%), and Eni (13.6%). 

Company behavior

A joint venture of JGC Corporation, KBR and Technip was awarded the front-end engineering design contract for the facility in 2005.
Angola LNG Marketing Ltd is responsible for developing the marketing strategy; negotiating sales agreements; and managing the dedicated fleet of 7 vessels that will ship LNG to customers around the world. 
Sociedade Operacional Angola LNG S.A.(OPCO) is responsible for operation of the LNG plant, for production, and for non-associated gas technical support.
Sociedade de Operacoes e Manutencao de Gasodutos (SOMG).Responsible for pipeline operations and transporting gas and natural gas liquids from production platforms off the Angolan coast to the LNG plant.
Angola LNG Marketing Ltd (ALM). Responsible for conducting LNG marketing and sales operations on behalf of the project. ALM is also responsible (through ALSS) for managing the dedicated fleet of vessels that will ship LNG for delivery to customers around the world.
The Angolan government has granted rights to conduct petroleum operations to international oil companies including BP, Chevron, ENI, ExxonMobil, Petrobras, Statoil and Total.
Dredging International was awarded a contract to carry out works for the Soyo LNG port. The scope of work includes installing navigation aids, navigation buoys and optional maintenance works.
Bechtel contracted Dresser Masoneilan to supply control valves for the project, and Alcatel-Lucent will provide communication systems.
Marine engineering for the project was carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company. Acergy was contracted in September 2009 to install a 70km pipeline transport LNG onshore to the LNG facility.
In December 2011, GAC was awarded the contract to provide port and bunker fuels services for the project.
FLOWCAL Enterprise and TESTit are used to track and manage ALNG’s gas delivery on their extensive pipeline network of over 500km from offshore oil fields to the processing and liquefaction plant in Soyo.