Greater PAJ Offshore Project has entered a major construction phase after Azule Energy awarded key offshore contracts worth more than $1 billion. The project, located about 200km offshore Angola, recently reached final investment decision and now moves toward execution. As one of the largest ultra-deepwater developments in sub-Saharan Africa, the development will connect five offshore fields through new subsea infrastructure and a floating production facility. The project supports Angola’s long-term production targets while creating opportunities for local companies and workers.
Greater PAJ Offshore Project advances with major offshore construction contracts
The Greater PAJ Offshore Project received a significant boost after Italian contractor Saipem secured a contract valued at approximately $1 billion. The award covers engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation services for critical offshore infrastructure.
Under the agreement, Saipem will install about 180km of rigid pipelines and subsea facilities. The company will also transport and install 38km of flexible flowlines and jumpers together with 54km of umbilicals. All activities will take place in water depths approaching 2,000m.
According to Saipem, the development ranks among the most important ultra-deepwater projects currently progressing in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, the company plans to deploy its advanced offshore construction vessels, FDS and Castorone, during the installation campaign.
Fabrication activities will take place at Saipem’s Ambriz yard in Angola. Moreover, the company intends to involve local suppliers and workers throughout project delivery. This approach supports Angola’s local content objectives while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities.
Meanwhile, TechnipFMC secured a separate contract for flexible flowlines and risers. Although the company did not disclose exact financial details, it classified the award as significant, placing its value between $75 million and $250 million.
TechnipFMC will design and manufacture the flexible flowlines and risers required to connect offshore wells to the new floating production unit. The company expects to record the contract within its second-quarter 2026 inbound orders.
Greater PAJ Offshore Project targets first oil by 2029
The Greater PAJ Offshore Project will feature 17 wells connected to a new floating production, storage and offloading vessel. The FPSO will have a production capacity of 95,000 barrels of oil per day.
In addition, the facility will support gas exports of up to 70 million cubic feet per day. Developers plan to transport the gas through a new export line connected to the existing Block 31 gas export network. The system will ultimately deliver gas to the Angola LNG plant.
The integrated development strategy brings together five discoveries across two offshore blocks. As a result, project partners can optimize infrastructure investments while improving operational efficiency. The approach also reduces development complexity compared with standalone field developments.
Construction activities are expected to accelerate following the final investment decision announced by Azule Energy. Therefore, the latest contract awards mark a crucial milestone as the project moves from planning into execution.
Industry observers view the Greater PAJ Offshore Project as a strategically important development for Angola’s offshore sector. Besides supporting future oil production, the project strengthens the country’s position as a major deep-water energy producer. It also demonstrates continued investor confidence in Angola’s offshore resources despite growing competition from other energy-producing regions.
The contract awards build on the momentum generated by the $5.1 billion Greater PAJ Offshore Project, which recently reached final investment decision and moved into the execution phase. The development will connect five offshore fields through a new FPSO and extensive subsea infrastructure, making it one of Angola’s most significant deep-water energy projects currently under construction.
Project Fact Sheet
Project Name: Greater PAJ Offshore Project
Location: Offshore Angola, approximately 200km from the coast
Blocks: Block 31 and Block 31/21
Project Cost: $5.1 billion
Recent Contract Awards: More than $1 billion
Operator: Azule Energy
Partners: Sonangol E&P and Equinor
Fields Included: Pala, Astraea, Juno, Urano and Dione
Water Depth: Up to 2,000m
Production Wells: 17
FPSO Capacity: 95,000 barrels of oil per day
Gas Export Capacity: 70 million cubic feet per day
Expected First Oil: First half of 2029
Gas Destination: Angola LNG Plant
Development Type: Ultra-deepwater offshore oil and gas project
Project Team
Project Operator: Azule Energy
Joint Venture Owners: Eni and BP
Project Partners: Sonangol E&P and Equinor
Offshore Transportation and Installation Contractor: Saipem
Fabrication Facility: Saipem Ambriz Yard, Angola
Offshore Construction Vessels: FDS and Castorone
Flexible Flowlines and Risers Contractor: TechnipFMC
FPSO Owner and Operator: Azule Energy
Gas Export Infrastructure Operator: Azule Energy
Host Government Authority: National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG)
Host Country: Angola
LNG Offtake Infrastructure: Angola LNG Plant
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