Island rig signs up to drill South Africa’s Gazania
Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas has signed a drilling contract for the Island Innovator semi-submersible to work on the upcoming Gazania-1 well.
South Africa
South African court knocks back Searcher Seismic again
The Western Cape High Court has confirmed Searcher Seismic cannot go ahead with its data acquisition plans off the west coast of South Africa.
Panoro focuses on development in 2022
Panoro Energy more than tripled its production in 2021, to 7,582 barrels per day of oil.
Sasol skips dividend with focus on transformation
Sasol has reported EBIT of 24.3 billion rand ($1.6bn) for the six months ending on December 31, 2021, up 12%.
Glencore pumps more oil, while “managing down”
Glencore has reported strong earnings for 2021, although in terms of energy it was largely driven by coal, rather than oil.
Ramaphosa promises change for power sector
Eskom will complete its unbundling by the end of this year, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.
BP, Shell to shutter South African refinery
BP and Shell are putting refinery operations at their Sapref plant on pause by the end of March, while considering a sale.
Eco firms up Azinam deal amid Graff fervour
Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Azinam Group, focused on the emerging areas off South Africa and Namibia.
South African banks opt out of EACOP financing
Four of South Africa’s five major banks have said they will not support the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), in Uganda and Tanzania.
South African court freeze seismic shoot in hot Orange Basin
A South African court has halted a seismic shoot by Searcher Seismic offshore South Africa’s west coast.
Chariot, Total Eren team up on solar power in South Africa
Total Eren and Chariot have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide solar power to the Tharisa mine.
Impact owner dismisses seismic worries as “poppycock”
Concerns about the impact of seismic surveys on local marine wildlife are “poppycock”, one of the companies involved has said.
Eco makes move on Azinam as first step to exploration independent
Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas is buying South Africa and Namibia-focused Azinam, with CEO Gil Holzman talking of building a major exploration focused independent.
After victory over Shell, South Africa turns to Searcher Seismic plans
With Shell’s seismic plans in disarray, South African activists are turning their sights on more offshore plans from Searcher Seismic.
Shell throws in the towel as Amazon Warrior leaves South Africa
The Amazon Warrior has left South Africa and is heading towards Las Palmas, in what is seen as a victory for local protests over Shell’s seismic plans.
Shell ordered to pause South African seismic
A South African court has ordered Shell to halt its seismic work offshore the Wild Coast, based on seeming failures on local consultations.
Pioneers enter Africa hydrogen partnership
Hydrogen is a major target in the energy transition, so it is only right that Africa launch its own plan to accelerate uptake.
Hive sets sights on green ammonia FID at Coega
Hive Hydrogen and Linde have set out plans to build a green ammonia plant in South Africa’s Coega special economic zone.
South Africa opens up Gas Master Plan
South Africa sees it as “imperative” to add more gas suppliers, in order to help develop the local sector.
UK drops red list travel rules for African states
The UK has removed all 11 countries from the red list in the face of international pressure.
Mantashe defends Shell’s seismic plans amid protests
South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe has spoken in defence of Shell’s ongoing seismic plans as local protests continue.
Mpumalanga lightning slows Kinetiko drilling progress
Poor weather has imposed “substantial delays” to Kinetiko Energy’s drilling programme in South Africa, where it is working on a coal-bed methane (CBM) project.
Shell wins seismic court case in South Africa
A South African court has approved Shell to go ahead with a seismic shoot offshore the Wild Coast.
Maersk rig sets sail for hotly tipped Venus
The Maersk Voyager has set sail for the Venus site, offshore Namibia, where it will drill perhaps the most hotly anticipated well of the year in Africa for TotalEnergies.
Protests intensify as seismic vessel arrives in Cape Town
A seismic vessel arriving in Cape Town has sparked the ire of environmental activists ahead of planned work off South Africa’s Wild Coast.