Progress on the South African Upstream Petroleum Resources Bill was discussed by a webinar panel on South Africa’s oil and gas future, which included the new CEO of the South African Oil & Gas Alliance, Total E&P South Africa, the independent view from Impact Oil & Gas and Africa Energy and the Petroleum Agency SA represented by Lindiwe Mekwe, General Manager: Regulation Division and former Acting CEO
The panellists urged the South African government to prioritise passage of the bill, which will be put before Parliament in coming months. Attractive fiscal terms and state investment in energy infrastructure are the main focuses of the bill.
Lindiwe Mekwe, general manager: regulation division, Petroleum Agency SA gave an overview of oil and gas exploration and highlighted the importance of consultation between government and industry. She anticipates the bill will become law by 2021.
Adewale Fayemi, managing director, Total E&P South Africa talked about the success at Brulpadda, the follow on field development and other prospects that Total are exploring in the region. Meanwhile, Impact’s Exploration Director, Philip Birch stressed the importance of the Venus well in Namibia, which Total will drill with its partners this year.
Jan Maier, vice-president - exploration, Africa Energy said the company was hopeful for the Gazania-1 well, which they are working on in partnership with Azinam Limited and Panoro Energy subject to approval by the South African government.
He said they are expected to spud by the end of 2020. He spoke of the importance of South Africa’s attractiveness versus other more established hydrocarbon opportunities such as Angola as investors look for exploration opportunities in the southern part of the continent.
Adrian Strydom, CEO, South African Oil & Gas Alliance said that South Africa is ready to grow the upstream sector and emphasised the world class skills, research and opportunities the country had to offer, in return for jobs and investment.
