SONASING and OPS, two joint venture companies of SONANGOL and SBM Offshore N.V. are pleased to announce the contracts with ENI Angola have been signed for the twelve year lease and operation of the FPSO Xikomba for the block 15/06 development, offshore Angola.

The development plan involves relocation of the existing FPSO Xikomba, which has been operating under contract for ExxonMobil in Angola since 2003. The FPSO is currently in Singapore at Keppel shipyard where it will undergo part of the major upgrade in order to meet the new project specific requirements. The execution schedule foresees a certain amount of fabrication and integration work to be performed in the PAENAL yard in Angola.

Joaquim Fernandes, Director of SONASING/OPS: 'We are very pleased with the contract from ENI for the relocation of one of SONASING's FPSOs within Angola and that part of the upgrade work will be performed in the PAENAL yard in Angola by Angolans. This is a positive development in raising Angolan content in the construction of FPSOs and providing continued work for Angolan nationals during offshore operations on the unit".

First production from the FPSO is planned for 2014.