Success with offshore discoveries in the People’s Republic of Angola has led to a boom in exploration and production activities in recent years.  Angola now ranks third behind Iran and Saudi Arabia in new oil discoveries.  Watching over ABS surveyors in this African nation is newly appointed Country Manager Marcus Moura.      

The Brazilian-born marine engineer has extensive experience having worked in shipyards before joining ABS.  He reports that nearly all major international oil companies are operating in Angola as well as the country’s oil and gas production company, Sonangol. 

The ABS classed fleet continues to grow in Angola.   Moura points out ABS currently classes the following: 

• More than 90 offshore supply vessels (OSVs) are operating in waters off Angola;    
• Two drillships;
• Four floating production, storage and offloading units (FPSOs);
• Six jackups owned and operated by Global SantaFe, Pride and Transocean;
• and seven semisubmersibles;

The production units continue to come on stream as Angola is predicted to produce 2 million barrels of oil per day by the end of this year.  Moura has established ABS  Angola’s administrative office in Luanda.  Several expatriate surveyors are stationed there along with local Angolan surveyors.  An aggressive hiring campaign has placed more dedicated surveyors in Angola who have received extensive training in busy ports with new construction and repair yards in Korea, China, and Dubai, says Moura. 

Working closely with Sonangol, local authorities and oil majors, Moura and his Angola team are covering a vast geographic area stretching from Lobito in the province of  Benguela to the South and the town Soyo and ports Cabinda/Malongo to the North.