Representatives of the Angola’s oil company Sonangol and the Zambian firm BBRL meet last week in Lusaka, Zambia, to analyse the new terms of reference for the re-launch of the project to build an oil pipeline “AZOP”, between the countries.
The AZOP project includes a channel for the transport of oil products “fuel and gas” to the Zambian market.
Data for 2020, according to a note from the Angolan Embassy in Zambia reached ANGOP, point to an estimated cost of USD 5 billion for the construction of the “pipeline” for the multiple transport of oil products from Angola.
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Based on previous studies, a storage station for oil products should be built in one of the provinces of eastern Angola, from which the fluids would be supplied to different countries in the southern region of Africa.
The preparations for the meeting for this Friday dominated the audience granted, Wednesday, 8, in Lusaka, by the Zambian minister of Energy, Peter Chibwe Kapala, to the Angolan ambassador in that country.
Angolan diplomat Azevedo Francisco was the bearer of a verbal message from the Angolan Minister of Natural Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, to his Zambian counterpart, Peter Chibwe Kapala, in which he expressed Angola’s intention to move forward with the agreements signed with the previous Zambian government in the energy field.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 between Angola and Zambia provides for the exchange of experiences, professional training and institutional cooperation.
Angola wants to take advantage of the privileged geographical condition of Zambia, which borders eight countries, to which Sonangol hopes to bring its refined products through the pipeline.
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Zambia, for example, buys much of its fuel from Saudi Arabia and leans towards the Angolan market, given the inherent commercial advantages and geographic position.
BBRL-Basali Ba Liseli Resources Limited is a private company under Zambian law and was appointed by the Zambian Government to discuss practical aspects related to cooperation in the energy sector with Sonangol.