The government said in a statement late Wednesday the application stemmed from Angola's "growing role in the world oil sector."


Angola's crude production, most of it from offshore rigs operated by foreign companies, has climbed to around 1.4 million barrels a day but is expected to reach 2 million barrels a day by April next year. The southwest African country is China's largest supplier of crude.

Angola is currently an associate member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, allowing it to send representatives to the group's meetings.