Tests are expected to begin at the refinery early next year and the first phase of the project, which will be capable of processing 30,000 barrels of oil per day, will be inaugurated in the first six months of 2025.
"The refinery should begin testing in January, with the inauguration of the first phase (distillation of 30,000 barrels of oil per day) expected for the first half of 2025," the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas reported in a statement to which VerAngola had access.
At the end of the working day, the note states, the minister said that, considering the adaptations made to the program, "the work is proceeding as planned", despite acknowledging delays in the initial schedule, due to internal and external reasons.
At the time, he said they had already given "the hand to the paddle", however, "the work is being done".
"We've already given our hand to the paddle, but the work is being done and we have more than 2500 workers at the Cabinda refinery, in continuous activity", he said, quoted in the statement.
Regarding the work, the ruler was satisfied with its progress, assessing the level of execution of the physical works at 60 percent.
In addition to the "surprise visit" to the project, Diamantino Azevedo also "took part in the planting of trees (sentinels) that will serve as a curtain for the refinery", as well as holding a "closed meeting with Sonangol and Gemcorp, the project promoters".
The Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas also visited the Malongo Base, which is operated by Cabgoc/Chevron and which, according to Diamantino Azevedo, "will support the shipment of crude oil to the refinery".
"The upper part of the South Ndola Platform, which is intended for the exploitation of marginal fields and is expected to produce 25,000 barrels of oil per day, is still being assembled in Malongo", the statement reads, adding that "explanations given on the ground indicate that the platform will be operated remotely (without human presence), will be connected to the Mafumeira platform and powered by solar energy."
According to the ministry, its assembly is already 70 percent complete, with the lower part of the platform "being assembled at the Porto Amboim factory yards".
Diamantino Azevedo's workday in Cabinda continued this Wednesday, with the laying of the first stone for the construction of Sonangol's headquarters in that province. Accompanied by the provincial governor, Suzana Abreu, and the minister of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security, Teresa Rodrigues Dias, the minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas laid the first stone for the construction of Sonangol's headquarters in Cabinda.
According to another note from the ministry to which VerAngola had access, the future headquarters will have "three floors, for offices, shops for the business units that carry out commercial activities and a cafeteria, and should be completed in 24 months, at a cost of 9.3 billion kwanzas, including equipment".
According to Diamantino Azevedo, the new headquarters "will be an asset for the company, which will increase its efficiency and for the image of the city of Cabinda".
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