The Kouilou River (4°29'S., 11°42'E.) lies 25 miles SE of Pointe Tchitembo (4°12'S., 11°23'E.). The coast between consists of a sandy beach backed by forests. Several streams flow into the sea along this stretch and a few small and land locked lagoons lie close inland. A line of low, bare hills stands behind the forests and is broken, 11.5 miles SE of Pointe Tchitembo, by a river. The village of Longobonda is situated in the vicinity of this river. The coast between this village and the mouth of the Kouilou River consists of sand dunes which appear white from seaward and are surmounted in a few places by palm trees. Banc du Mulet (4°28'S., 11°33'E.), with a least depth of 5.8m, lies centered about 8 miles W of the entrance to the Kouilou River. It is a narrow ridge of hard sand and rock which lies parallel to the coast. An obstruction is reported to lie about 5 miles S of the N end of this bank. The entrance to the Kouilou River is encumbered with shifting sand banks and a dangerous bar, on which the sea breaks heavily. During the rainy season, discolored water extends up to 7 miles seaward of the river mouth. The village of Bas Kouilou, a small wood loading terminal, is situated close within the mouth of the river. Ocean going vessels can anchor in a depth of 9m about 2 miles W of the river mouth, but cargo operations are frequently interrupted by winds, swells, and the condition of the bar. Loango Oil Field (4°30'S., 11°16'E.), with several platforms, lies centered 26 miles W of the mouth of the Kouilou River. Ikalou Oil Field (4°33'S., 11°21'E.), with several well heads, lies centered 22 miles WSW of the mouth of the Kouilou River. Kombi Oil Field (4°37'S., 11°21'E.), with several well heads, lies centered 23 miles WSW of the mouth of the Kouilou River. Zatchi Oil Field (4°31'S., 11°25'E.), with several platforms, lies centered 17 miles W of the mouth of the Kouilou River. Marine XI Oil Field (4°45'S., 11°34'E.), with several well heads, lies centered 18 miles SSW of the mouth of the Kouilou River. Marine VI Oil Field (4°41'S., 11°24'E.), with several well heads, lies centered 22 miles SW of the mouth of the Kouilou River and close N of Yanga Oil Field. Caution.Several platforms, some of which have prominent flares, and numerous well heads are situated between about 15 and 26 miles W of the mouth of the Kouilou River. These structures are connected by submarine pipelines which may best be seen on the chart.

Location