LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - BP signed an agreement
with Angola aimed at acquiring oil further exploration rights,
state news agency Angop reported, the latest in a flurry of
agreements between oil majors and Africa's second biggest
exporter.
The deal with country's petroleum regulator ANPG defines the
terms for a risk-sharing contract on offshore oil block 18/15
and was signed on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment
Summit on Monday.
Outgoing BP Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley and his
successor Bernard Looney attended the ceremony along with
Angola's minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Diamantino
Azevedo, and other top officials.
BP is already a partner in ongoing production in Block 18,
called the Greater Plutonio development.
Last week, Italy's Eni, France's Total,
Equinor and BP were awarded rights to develop
several offshore blocks.
Angola is working to reform its oil industry to halt a
production slump that has dented the economy, including by
privatizing stakes of state oil company Sonangol.
BP and Angola signed a second agreement for the British
major to support mine clearing efforts related to the southern
Africa country's 1975-2002 civil war "within the scope of social
responsibility actions", Angop said.
(Reporting by Noah Browning, editing by Louie Heavens)
BP (BP.)
