Italian oil group ENI has begun drilling for oil in Mpungi field in the deep waters of Angola about 350 kilometres northeast of Luanda, Angolan state company Sonangol said in a statement Tuesday.

Mpungi is the third field in the Pólo Oeste project to go into production after the Sangos and Cinguvu fields and will contribute to increase production of Block 15/06, which will rise to 100,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Pólo Oeste project covers the development of the Sangos, Cinguvu, Mpungi Norte, Ochigufu and Vandumbu fields, at a depth of water that ranges from 1000 to 1500 metres, the Angolan state said.

The start of oil extraction in Mpungi field was announced on the 11 January by the Italian group, and Sonangol gave no justification for the postponement.

The 15/06 block is operated by Eni with a stake of 36.84 percent, Sonangol with an equal stake and the third partner SSI Fifteen Limited with the remaining 26.32%. (macauhub/AO)