In 1910, the prospecting and researching hydrocarbons began in Angola. In that year, the Canha & Formigal Company was conceded an area of 114,000 Km2 in the Congo Offshore and in the Kwanza Basin; the first well was drilled in 1915. Pema (Mineral Research Company of Angola) and Sinclair of the U.S.A. were, from early on, also involved in prospecting and research activity in Angola.

After a brief hiatus, activity was resumed in 1952, with a concession to Purfina in the same area.In 1955 the Continental Platform was added to its extension.

In 1962, the first seismic survey of the Cabinda Offshore was carried out by the Cabinda Gulf Oil Company and in September of that same year the first discovery emerged.

In 1976, total production was around 100 000 bbl/d from three areas: Cabinda Offshore, Kwanza Onshore and the Congo Onshore. In all, it had attained 172 000 bbl/d in 1974, the maximum during the colonial period.

From 1952-1976, 30 500 Km seismic surveys were carried out, drilling 368 prospecting and research wells and 302 development wells.

A total of 23 sites were discovered, of which 3 were Offshore.

Refinery

In 1958, a small refinery was constructed in Luanda (100,000 tons/year or close to 2 000 bbl/d) by PETRANGOL with the Belgian group Petrofina SA.

The Portuguese government held nominal stocks without participating in PETRANGOL. From 1972/1973, Luanda's refinery was substantially enlarged to 1,5 million tons/year (30 000 bbl/d). It was a conventional refinery, type "Hydro Skimming", whose activity is essentially intended for the production of LPG, Gasoline, Jet Fuel e Gas oil for the internal Angolan market.

Marketing

Until 1976, the sale of petroleum-derived products in Angola was carried out by the Angolan subsidiaries of Shell, Texaco, Mobil and Petrofina, as well as Angol (subsidiary of the Portuguese company SACOR).

These products came mostly from the Luanda Refinery, the remaining part resulting from direct imports that arrived to the Maritime Terminals.

Shell and Mobil likewise operated the oil manufacturing installations in Luanda, importing basic oils and additives.