What the history-making elections of 2024 could mean for energy
Energy and climate change have been on the ballot around the world this year. Here’s a scorecard of what to expect on infrastructure, power and renewables in five countries.
South Africa
EVOL: Wood on the move, electoral turmoil and volcano drilling
Wood is considering another offer for the company, from the Middle Eastern Sidara. Such a sale would likely help Wood access new international markets, but the loss of a FTSE250 company based in Aberdeen will be lamented. Given the challenges of the North Sea, is such a move inevitable?
Tower readies for crunch time as Cameroon well looms
Tower Resources is nearing the point where it will begin drilling in Cameroon, but the company has other opportunities it is also pursuing, chairman and CEO Jeremy Asher has highlighted.
Africa Oil sets out company transformation via the Orange Basin
“The reason we wanted to stay in is in the southern part of the block.” The operator is acquiring 3D seismic on the area, he said, backing up existing 2D seismic.
South Africa energy plans warn against renewable move
The draft IRP said a plan based on renewable and clean energy alone would “only deliver” the decarbonisation of the power system. "However, these pathways do not provide security of supply while carrying the highest cost to implement.”
As comments close, CGG eyes January seismic start off South Africa
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) approved the seismic on November 16. The plan also requires approval from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
South Africa picks controversial Gazprombank for GTL partnership
The official said overhauling the gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant was one of the “critical components of PetroSA’s turnaround strategy”.
Prax to buy out Total from Natref refinery
“The acquisition marks another significant milestone for the Prax Group, and will create unique opportunities across the South African supply chain, meeting the needs of customers and communities for years to come.”
PetroSA lines up sanctioned Gazprom unit for Mossel Bay
Under the tender, the winning bidder would invest around $200 million in the GTL plant and will also provide gas condensate supplies.
Getech joins white hydrogen hunt in Africa
HyAfrica carried out fieldwork in Morocco and South Africa earlier this year. The group reported “very promising” results in Ain Bni Matha and Mpumalanga respectively, detecting multiple hydrogen seeps.
South Africa’s oil law steps forward
However, the South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA) said approval from the NA was “one step forward in the correct direction”.
Total wins Orange Basin drilling approval from South Africa
Total plans to drill one exploration well. Should it be successful, it may drill up to nine more.
Renergen fires warning shot at social media detractors
Renergen said it would consider social media comments and may take “appropriate next steps to protect the interests of all of its shareholders”.
Kinetiko boosts resources ahead of JV drilling plans
“Each time Kinetiko adds commercial production plans within its exploration rights, it will be able to grow Reserve Certifications by eventual orders of magnitude”, he said.
Transmission’s crucial role in South Africa’s energy crisis
Fostering increased collaboration between private players and regional governments will be crucial to optimise renewable energy resources at a larger scale.
Emissions problem drives Secunda unit impairment for Sasol
Under the decision, Sasol must achieve concentration-based limits for SO2 at the Secunda steam plant boilers. The company had applied to be allowed to operate on a load-based limit – but this was rejected.
Africa’s delayed manufacturing revolution
“As a result, market confidence in South Africa’s utility-scale public procurement appears too low to underpin industrial and inclusive development on its own,” the report said.
TNPA picks shortlist for Northern Cape ammonia exports
South Africa Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala highlighted the Boegoebaai green hydrogen plans earlier this year. The “hydrogen project has a potential to create an additional 35,000 work opportunities once it commences and all feasibility studies are completed”.
Sasol commissions Mozambique facility, despite SA headwinds
In the meantime, Sasol warned of “continued pricing and demand volatility” to come.
Joburg street explosion flips taxis, one killed
Lesufi said there had been a “high smell of gas” in the area before. “Egoli Gas remains the centre of our focus because all of us agree that the cause of this explosion or impact is gas,” he said.
Eskom bids farewell to “persona non grata” Oberholzer
The surprise departure of Oberholzer comes as Eskom struggles to provide power to South Africa. Eskom announced Stage 6 loadshedding on the weekend, reducing this as the week began.
Equatorial Guinea convicts South African oil workers
This, he said, was “the first of the package of measures that we have to respond to your resistance to return the ship to us”. Obiang described the 76-metre Blue Shadow as a military asset.
Africa Oil increases Orange Basin stake ahead of drilling programmes
“At least three exploration wells offshore the Northern Cape province will be drilled in 2024 to prove the petroleum resource potential in the Orange Basin.”
Drilling offshore South Africa? Double check the packing
At this point, the report said, drilling lost five days. It attributed this to “trying to latch on to the wellhead because the rig compensator failed”. It noted the “situation was exacerbated by the rig guide funnel having been left behind in Norway”.
DFC, Standard Bank approve funding for Renergen’s next phase
The work would involve up to 300 new production wells, 480 km of gas transmission pipelines, three compressor stations and a new combined LNG and helium plant.