LUANDA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A legislation on the rights of companies to explore and produce natural gas in Angola is in its final stage, Secretary of State for Oil Paulino Jeronimo said here on Friday.

The absence of such a law or regulatory regime specific to gas in Africa's second largest oil producer has long hindered major oil companies' natural gas production in the country and gas marketing activities.

The legislation should be submitted to the Angolan Executive's Cabinet Council this month, Jeronimo said.

It will also safeguard the right of the exploring companies, the official said on the sidelines of a meeting with business people linked to the oil and mining sector,

Among the various international oil companies operating in Angola are Esso, Chevron, BP, Eni and Total.