Southern Africa progresses towards the start of gas production
The Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique. © ENI

Running story
Southern Africa progresses towards the start of gas production

As a future gas production zone, South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia carry the hopes of the super-majors Total, ENI and ExxonMobil. They represent a new opportunity for investors as Africa's traditional oil and gas-producing countries are increasingly struggling to maintain production.

Southern Africa progresses towards the start of gas production
The Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique. © ENI

Angola
Saipem and Sapura compete for ENI's Q&M pipeline build

Angola could significantly increase its gas production by 2026 thanks to the development of the Quiluma and Maboqueiro (Q&M) fields. Project leader ENI is in the process of selecting its service providers.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 27.03.2023

Spotlight | Namibia
ENI queues up for slice of Namibian oil and gas bonanza

After several recent discoveries by Shell and TotalEnergies, the Italian major ENI is working on all fronts with the Namibian authorities to invest in offshore permits. Asian companies also have an eye on the zone.

Offshore platforms anchored in the roadstead in the Walvis Bay lagoon.
LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 16.03.2023
Offshore platforms anchored in the roadstead in the Walvis Bay lagoon.

Mozambique, South Africa
South Africa looks to Maputo for its medium-term gas needs

The Matola LNG import terminal project, on the outskirts of Maputo, is progressing quietly. Pretoria, which has no alternative medium-term solution for importing gas, should be the main beneficiary.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 30.09.2022

South Africa
Time ticking on TotalEnergies' goal to achieve first gas on 11B/12B by 2027

The French major has no time to lose if it is to achieve its goal of starting production on the South African offshore block by 2026-2027. There are still the rights, final investment decision, pipeline connection and numerous other administrative and logistical tasks to work out.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 05.09.2022

South Africa
Pretoria betting on 2B to get it back in the oil and gas game

Drilling will take place on Block 2B, operated by Eco Atlantic during Q3 2022. A new discovery would place South Africa back at the head of the table as oil and gas leader in southern Africa.

The Gazania well will be drilled by the semi-submersible Island Innovator, from the Norwegian company Island Drilling.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 11.04.2022
The Gazania well will be drilled by the semi-submersible Island Innovator, from the Norwegian company Island Drilling.

Mozambique
UK Export Finance's $1.15bn Mozambique LNG loan under fire

Two environmental experts warned UKEF of the shortcomings and deficiencies of its environmental impact assessment on the giant Mozambique LNG project. UKEF ignored their recommendations.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 25.03.2022

Namibia
Shell discovery a blessing for neighbouring block owner Rhino Resources

Since the British-Dutch major's discovery on its Graff-1 well, permits immediately nearby have shot up in value.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 02.03.2022

Namibia
Pretoria feels the pressure after Shell and TotalEnergies's Namibian discovery

The French major hopes its confirmation of Namibia's offshore prospects will spur the South African government into action over finalising the long-awaited Petroleum Bill.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 25.02.2022

South Africa
Eco Atlantic brings much-needed cash into block 2B

The partners in the block, at which drilling is scheduled for the end of 2022, are relieved at the arrival of the new operator after doubts as to the financial capacity of its predecessor, Azinam.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 20.01.2022

Southern Africa
Standard Bank still keen to bankroll fossil fuel industry

Unlike the overwhelming majority of European banks who want to go green and are reluctant to finance oil exploration, South Africa's Standard Bank shows no sign of withdrawing from the oil and gas industry.

LogoSubscribers only Finance, Energy 19.11.2021

South Africa
Total's success on block 11B/12B hangs on Ramaphosa

Taking advantage of a favourable climate and existing infrastructure in South Africa, Total is looking at the option of speeding up expansion at a reduced cost. This will depend to a large extent on a good working relationship with the state, which owns the pipeline and the GTL plant to which the French major hopes to sell its gas.

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 17.06.2021
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa.

Tanzania
Suluhu Hassan hand picks official to kick start GNL talks with Shell and Equinor

The new president has made developing the gas sector, largely ignored by her predecessor John Magufuli, a priority of her five-year term in office.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 07.06.2021

SADC
Advisory firm helps SADC map infrastructure to keep Total's gas in the region

To ensure gas produced in southern Africa does not bypass the regional market altogether, the SADC secretariat would like to see the bloc members adhere to a combined strategy.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 10.03.2021

Africa
Qatar Petroleum looks for returns on its African investments in 2021

The state-owned Qatari oil company will over the next few months partner with Western majors in the drilling of wells in Angola, Namibia, and Mozambique which currently figure among Africa's best prospects for major new oil finds.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 22.02.2021

Mozambique
Mayotte logistics barons scrap over strategy to take with Total on Cabo Delgado business

The ostensibly common interests of Mamoudzou's logistics firms have not always sufficed to secure business from Total's Cabo Delgado gas activities.

Ronan Bescond, Country Manager and Vice President of the Mozambique LNG Project with Armindo Tiago, the Mozambican Health Minister.
LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure, Energy 19.02.2021
Ronan Bescond, Country Manager and Vice President of the Mozambique LNG Project with Armindo Tiago, the Mozambican Health Minister.

Namibia
From Norton Rose to Kavango Basin: J. Jay Park's latest adventure

Canadian lawyer and "star" of Chadian oil business hopes to turn the Namibian desert into a new Texas.

The ReconAfrica drilling site in Namibia.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 28.01.2021
The ReconAfrica drilling site in Namibia.

South Africa
Total makes development of block 11B/12B conditional on publication of Petroleum Bill

Total is taking a harder line with the South African government as it lobbies to get the country's new oil bill onto the statute books quickly.

Free access Energy 14.01.2021

Spotlight | Mozambique
ExxonMobil turns cold on Rovuma LNG but ENI keeps going

In a context of insecurity and low hydrocarbon prices, it remains unclear when US major ExxonMobil will finally decide to launch its giant LNG project in Mozambique, even though its Italian partner ENI is moving ahead.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 25.11.2020

Mozambique
Is Cabo Delgado-South Africa pipeline now a pipe dream?

Pretoria initially turned to Mozambique in its search for gas for its domestic market. But a planned pipeline between the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado and Gauteng in South Africa will likely never see the light of day.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 18.11.2020

South Africa
Behind the scenes of Total's urgent talks with Pretoria over block 11B/12B gas prices

Encouraged to get cracking by the recent gas discoveries off the coast of South Africa, Total is trying to prompt fast action on sector regulations from Ramaphosa's government.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 11.11.2020

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The Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique.

Running story
Southern Africa progresses towards the start of gas production


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