Oil firm Total is to increase its production capacity in Angola, and is expected to bid for more oil licences should the opportunity arise, reports Engineering News.

Total, one of the world’s leading oil companies, produces over 500 000 barrels a day from its operations in Angola. It has invested US$9 billion in an offshore production hub which is expected to begin production in 2011.

Angola has recently superseded Nigeria as Africa’s leading oil producer, due mainly to instability in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.